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Sant'Antonio dei Portoghesi St Anthony of the Portuguese

2 Via dei Portoghesi 00186 Roma Tel. 06 68 80 24 96 Fax 06 68 65 234 Normal opening hours: 8.30 - 13.00 and 15.00 - 18.00

The Portuguese national church, dedicated to St Anthony of Padua. History

The first church here was built 1440-1445 by Antonio Martin Cardinal de Chavez, annexed to the hospice for Portuguese pilgrims. The hospice was built in the 14th century, under Pope Urban V.

The present church is a result of rebuilding in 1638 by Martino Longhi the Younger, with additions from 1657 by Carlo Rainaldi.

After the Napoleonic occupation of Rome, the church was closed for several decades. It was restored and reopened in 1842.

Several popes, including Clement XI and Clement XIV, have visited the church, mainly for diplomatic reasons. The relations between Portugal and the Holy See were tense in the 18th century, and successive popes tried to create a better atmosphere. Exterior

The Baroque façade (1636-1638) is by Martino Longhi, . Christoforo Schor modified it slightly in 1695. It has two stories. The lower level has three doorways; the middle one is crowned by a triangular tympanon with an angel. The upper level has a large window and the coat-of-arms of the Royal House of Braganza. Notice the sculptures of heraldic angels and the two figures holding up the side vaults.

St Anthony with the Holy Child is depicted on the façade, by Antonio Moroni. Interior

Carlo Rainaldi was responsible for most of the interior. Opinions are divived. Some think that the Baroque designs are of inferior quality, while others think very highly of it - in one e-mail I have received it is described as «one of the most perfect examples of "monochrome" middle Baroque». No matter where one's taste runs, the church is worth visiting for its works of art.

Some alterations were made by Francesco Vespiginiani in the 19th century. The stucco decorations are by Giuliano Corsini and Andrea Bevilacqua.

The dome was completed by Rainaldi in 1657. In the dome are tondos with depictions of Blessed Sancia, Joan, Mafalda and Teresa; on the plumes Pope St Damasus and Sts Victor, Gerald and Mancio, all made in 1870 by Francesco Grandi.

The ceiling has a painting of The Apparition of the Crucifixion to King Alfonso Enriquez of Portugal.

At the high altar, by Christoforo Schor, is a 16th century painting of St Anthony and the Holy Child, by Marcello Venusti. There is also a depiction of The Virgin handing the Holy Child to St Anthony, made in 1707 by Giacinto Calandrucci. At the sides are depictions of Blessed Teresa and Sancia of Portugal, by Giovanni Odazzi. Close by is a depiction of Blessed Joan by Michelangelo Cerruti.

In the right arm of the transept is a painting of Queen St Elisabeth, made by Luigi Agricola in 1801. Under the altar is an urn of green marble from Egypt, a very rare type of stone.

In the left arm is the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, with oil paintings by Giacomo Zoboli.

The first chapel on the right has a monument to Alexander de Souza by Antonio Canova, made in 1808. There are also paintings with scenes from the Life of St Catherine of Alexandria.

The second chapel on the right has a painting of the Baptism of Christ by Calandrucci and one of the Birth of St John the Baptist by Nicolas de Bar.

On the left side, the first chapel is dedicated to St Anthony Abbot. On the side wall is a painting of St Anthony with Sts Sebastian and Vincent, by Marcello Venusti. The altarpiece by Antoniazzo Romano depicts The Madonna and Child with Sts Anthony of Padua and Francis of Assisi.

The second chapel on the left-hand side is dedicated to the Madonna of Bethlehem. It has a series of paintings by Antonio Concioli of the Mystery of the Birth of Jesus with the subjects The Adoration of the Shepherds, The Adoration of the Magi and The Flight to Egypt.

The organ above the entrance is in the Rococo style.

In the 18th century, a chapel decorated by Luigi Vanvitelli and Nicolò Salvi was dismantled and taken to Lisbon, where it was rebuilt in St. Rocco's.

The ceiling in the sacristy has a fresco of the Miracle of St Anthony. Special notes

The feast of St Anthony of Padua is celebrated on 13 June. Mass is celebrated in Portuguese at 16.00 on Sundays. As there is no Brazilian national church in Rome, this church also provides for the Brazilian community in Rome, and it is also used by many from Angola and Mozambique.

The Portugues Institute of St Anthony and the Portuguese Library is adjacent to the church. Language courses, conferences and concerts are often arranged there.