The Church of Sant’ Antonio di Padova

Founded by Basilian priests in 1327, the Church of Santo Antonio of Padova was given to Friars Minor Conventual who lived there until 1652. After the disastrous earthquake in 1627, the church and the bell tower were rebuilt. In 1652 it was closed because of Pope Innocent X's order. The church, that was believed an extension of the Mother-Church, was under restoration for a long time, and in the end the works stopped because of lack of funds. The access to the portal consists in a double flight of steps(1888), whose railing is of wrought iron (1890). The bell tower was rebuilt after the earthquake with local stone and tuff and, like the façade, consists in two- tone bands. The lintel is a trefoil arch and above it, a lancet window represents the "Glory of St. Anthony". The upper part of the façade is decorated with a series of small arches. At the top of the wall there is a metal cross. The interior of the Church has a longitudinal plan and the dome represents a sky full of stars and some scenes of Saint Antonio's life. The bell tower, in line with the frontage, has three architectural orders defined by protruding ribs. On the top of the tower bell there is a small doomed roof surmounted by a cross. A face with beard is carved on a cornerstone of the tower, maybe representing St. Francis’s or Jesus Christ' face.