The funerary monument to Benavides in the Eremitani church

The Eremitani church is certainly one of the most beautiful churches in Padua ... It is an extraordinary example of the 'classical' style that spread in Padua during the communal age. Inside, there are outstanding works of art, including early paintings by Andrea Mantegna, and many famous people were laid to rest here, including jurist Marco Mantova Benavides.

Born to a Spanish family (1489-1582), passionate about art and culture and friends with Pietro Aretino, Benavides is one of the founders of the Accademia degli Infiammati, which also included Francesco Sansovino, Pietro Bembo, Luigi Alamanni and Giovanni Cornaro. Among other things, he also curated an edition of Francesco Petrarca’s works and translated some lyrics of the Canzoniere into Latin.

Precisely in a letter addressed to Pietro Aretino in 1545, we read that he commissioned the famous Florentine sculptor Bartolomeo Ammannati with his funerary monument for the Eremitani church, which we can still admire today. The tomb references the modules of the tripartite triumphal arch and the three niches contain the representations of Honor (or Time) and Fame, while the statue of Marco Mantova Benavides is placed in the center.

The Eremitani Church can be included in our Your Own Padova, an exclusive private guided tour of Padua whose itinerary, departure time and duration can be tailored by our expert local guide!