Basilica of St. Anastasia

The Basilica of Sant'Anastasia is the largest church in Verona and one of the masterpieces of Italian Gothic, built between 1290 and 1481 by the Dominican order. The basilica dominates the square of the same name in the medieval heart of the city, just steps from the Ponte Pietra and the Roman Theatre. The imposing facade in exposed red brick, never completed, features a magnificent Gothic portal decorated with sculptures, ogival arches and a central rose window that illuminates the church interior.

The interior, with three naves and ogival cross vaults, creates a monumental space over 30 metres high, lit by polychrome Gothic stained-glass windows that filter coloured light. The basilica houses extraordinary artistic masterpieces: the famous fresco "Saint George and the Princess" by Pisanello (1433-1438), considered a peak of late International Gothic painting; the famous hunchback water-bearer at the entrance sculpted by Gabriele Caliari; fourteenth-century frescoes in the side chapels; and the magnificent sixteenth-century marble high altar. The side chapels were commissioned by Veronese noble families and decorated with frescoes, sculptures and altarpieces that bear witness to the devotion and wealth of medieval Verona.

The Pellegrini Chapel preserves polychrome terracottas by Michele da Firenze, the Cavalli Chapel Giottesque frescoes, and the Giusti Chapel Renaissance works. The polychrome mosaic floor, the sculpted column capitals, and the holy-water stoups supported by the famous hunchback water-bearers (the second is the work of Paolo Orefice) create a diffuse museum of medieval and Renaissance sacred art.

The Gothic Dominican building and the 14th-century extension of the basilica

Construction of the Basilica of Sant'Anastasia began in 1290 on the initiative of the Dominican order, which wanted to create in Verona a great church for preaching and solemn liturgical celebration. The works continued for almost two centuries, completed in 1481, going through different construction phases that reflect the evolution of the Italian Gothic style. The basilica was dedicated to Saint Anastasia, a fourth-century Christian martyr venerated by the Veronese.

Under the patronage of the powerful Della Scala family (Scaligeri), lords of Verona in the fourteenth century, the basilica was enriched with works of art and noble chapels. Veronese noble families competed to fund the most sumptuous side chapels, commissioning frescoes, sculptures and altarpieces from the best artists of the time. The facade remained unfinished: the original project envisaged a marble cladding and sculptural decorations that were never carried out, leaving the exposed red bricks that today characterise the exterior of the church.

The artistic jewel of the basilica is the fresco "Saint George and the Princess" by Antonio Pisano known as Pisanello (1433-1438), located in the Pellegrini Chapel above the entrance arch. The work depicts Saint George on horseback saving the princess from the dragon, a masterpiece of International Gothic for the richness of naturalistic details, fantastic animals, fairytale landscapes and chromatic refinement. The fresco was rediscovered only in 1895 under a layer of plaster.

At the basilica entrance are the famous hunchback water-bearers, two holy-water stoups supported by curved figures of men bearing the weight of the basins: the first is the work of Gabriele Caliari (father of Veronese), the second of Paolo Orefice. These Renaissance sculptures combine anatomical realism and religious symbolism. The side chapels preserve cycles of fourteenth-century frescoes attributed to the Giottesque and Veronese schools, altarpieces by artists such as Francesco Morone and Liberale da Verona, polychrome wooden sculptures and polychrome terracottas that document five centuries of Veronese sacred art.

The Basilica of Sant'Anastasia is still today an active place of worship with daily Masses and solemn celebrations on religious feast days. The church is open to tourists who can freely visit the interior and admire the frescoes, sculptures and Gothic architecture. Multilingual audio guides and educational panels illustrate the artistic history of the basilica and guide visitors in discovering the main works. During the summer the basilica hosts sacred and classical music concerts that take advantage of the exceptional acoustics of the Gothic vaults: organ, polyphonic choir, chamber music and Renaissance repertoire create evocative atmospheres.

Specialist guided tours are also organised with art historians who explore Pisanello, Veronese Gothic and the noble chapels. The basilica takes part in the Night of the Museums with extraordinary night openings and scenic lighting that highlights the Gothic architecture. For the people of Verona, Sant'Anastasia represents the spiritual and artistic heart of the medieval city.