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The Basilica of Sant’Andrea (Basilica di Sant’Andrea) is the largest church in the UNESCO World Heritage listed city of Mantua. It’s one of the most important 15th century Renaissance buildings in northern Italy. It sits on Piazza Mantegna.
History
The basilica was built on top of an older church dating back to 1046. Construction on the current church was commissioned by Ludovico III Gonzaga, who wanted to make the church a symbol of his family’s power and prestige. The architect was Leon Battista Alberti, who started construction just before his death in 1472. It wasn’t finished until 1790. The bell tower, however, pre-existed the church and was built in 1414.
Interior
The grand interior of the church, which is based on a Latin cross, is covered with a barrel vault. There are several elaborate reliefs and paintings decorating the walls and columns.
Chapels line the sides of the church. One of them includes the tomb of painter Andrea Mantegna (1431-1506). There’s a beautiful fresco in the apse behind the main altar.
In front of the main altar is an octagon bordered by a marble gate. Directly underneath the octagon is the crypt where vessels purportedly containing dirt soaked with the blood of Christ are kept. According to tradition, Roman soldier Longinus collected the dirt and brought it to Mantua.
Directly above the octagon is the dome, which took 50 years to complete (1732-1782). It was designed by Filippo Juvarra, and the decorations were added in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The crypt, which was closed during our visit, contains the tombs of several members of the Gonzaga family.
