San Zeno Maggiore

Church Containing a Work by Mantegna

Vicolo Abbazia, 1
Piazza S. Zeno
Verona, Verona 37123

Phone: +39 045 800 6120

No one going to Verona could possibly justify missing out a visit to this Romanesque church which epitomizes the city: San Zeno Maggiore. On the left it is bordered by the battlemented, brick abbatial tower, on the right by the striped brick and tuff bell tower with three-mullioned windows and conic pinnacles. The church dominates the entire square. The original structure of the church dates back to the 12th Century. It was built over pre-existing buildings. It was enlarged between 1120-1138 after the earthquake of 1117, with the addition of a tufa span on the West. At the end of the 13th Century the main nave was raised higher, the roof was finished, and the apse and cloisters were rennovated. The salient façade is made of tuff, it is divided by thin pilaster strips, with a triangular pediment crossed by a gallery of mullioned windows with two lights in red marble. At the center is the "Wheel of Fortune", the large rosette dating back to the 13th Century. The portal was built by Nicolò in 1138. Scenes of Saint Zeno's life and miracles are painted in the lunette, while wooden scenes from the Old and New Testament are depicted in the 48 panels. The basilica is in the form of a Latin cross, and is divided into three naves. You can descend into the crypt down the stairs and see the mortal remains of the Saint. The main altar is decorated with a triptych by Mantegna, Madonna Enthroned with Saints, one of the most important paintings of the Italian Renaissance.

Open Hours: Richiesta per le Ores