We left Meiringen early to go to Italy and we went over the Susten Pass -definitely one of the prettiest drives we experienced. Sunrise was jaw dropping beautiful and time flew as we meandered through the Alps. Believe it or not, we decided to forego a visit to the Duomo. We found a mind bending mass of humanity and full parking lots and garages. We’ll have to return at a later date! Instead, we re-routed ourselves to Padua and then Venice.
This is a map of some of the switchback going up the Susten Pass.
Below is a drone video of the Susten pass (we did not take the video)
The Basilica of St Anthony of Padua in Padua, Italy.
A treat to visit, Padua has a vibrant atmosphere. The University of Padua was established in 1222. It’s the 2nd largest in Italy and the 5th oldest in the world. Early on it became a center for civil and Canon Law as well as mathematics and science. Padua was cranking up for the fall semester while we were there. Once again we navigated through the old city with motorcycles and e-bikes doing their own thing through traffic. Even after months of experiencing this phenomenon, it still feels like lawlessness, and we can’t help but laugh.
Locals call the Basilica “Il Santo”. It was so peaceful inside and the frescos and statues are astounding. There were many religious in and around the Basilica and town. It was refreshing to see.
Basilica de Santa Justina in Padua, Italy –
AND St. Luke and St. Mattias all under one roof!
The Basilica is dedicated to Padua’s first martyr, Giustina (or Justina), born into a distinguished Paduan family during the period of Diocletian’s Christian persecutions. She was sentenced to death in 304 for being a Christian by the Roman Emperor Maximian who was passing through Padua. She is a patron saint of the city.
Amazingly, the Basilica also holds the remains of both St. Luke, the Gospel writer, and St. Matthias, the 13th Apostle chosen to take Judas’ place in the Twelve.
On the exterior of the Basilica, homage to the four evangelists. The Gospel writers are associated with four creatures that have a biblical base in Ezekiel (God will strengthen) of the Old Testament. The prophet had a vision of the four living beings who had the face of a man, lion, ox, and eagle (Eze 1:10).
In Revelations (4:7), John also speaks of the four beasts: lion, calf, man, and eagle.
Matthew is associated with the winged man or angel because his Gospel focuses on the humanity of Christ. Matthew’s Gospel includes the genealogy of Christ.
The lion is associated with St. Mark because his Gospel illuminates the majesty and royal dignity of Christ – just as the lion is considered the king of beasts.
Mark’s Gospel begins with the voice of John the Baptist is cried out in the wilderness like a lion’s roar to prepare the way for the Lord.
Luke’s Gospel is associated with the ox (or calf) because of the his emphasis on the sacrificial character of Christ’s death. In both Judaism and Roman paganism, the ox symbolized sacrifice. When Luke writes of the Nativity, the ox and donkey bear witness to Christ’s birth.
John’s Gospel is imaged with the eagle. His Gospel brings the light of understanding to the Incarnation, and the eagle is a symbol of that which comes from above. With this thought in mind, John, in Revelation, was able to see beyond the immediately present and open our minds to the other.
The crypt of St. Luke.
The crypt of St. Matthias
Church of St. Stephen, Venice, Italy
Just another beautiful church we stumbled upon on our way to the St. Mark’s Basilica.
Santo Stefano’s central nave, built entirely of wood, has the shape of an upturned ship’s hull – something the carpenters of Venice were most familiar! Construction began in 1294 with a rebuild shortly after that and a major renovation in the twentieth century.
