Archpriestal church of Santa Giustina and archeological trail
Pernumia (PD)
The archpriestal church of Santa Giustina (Saint Justina), virgin and martyr, in Pernumia, is one of the oldest churches in the diocese. Popular tradition says it was founded by Saint Prosdocimus, the first bishop of Padua. In 1998, when the current floorings were restored, the remains of the old church (dating back to the 5th or 6th century) and of an old basilica dating back to around 1150 were found; the latter had three naves and an apse facing east, where the current entrance is. The tour route created for these important findings allows us to access the excavation site, and reach the area below the presbytery, giving us an overview of the old entrance. The pit where bells used to be melted is another noteworthy find; it dates back to approximately 1780, when the current church was built. The church is home to an altar attributed to Antonio Bonazza; a 1595 altar piece in Venetian style depicting the “Baptism of Saint Justina” by Francesco Apollodoro called “Porcia”; the “Expulsion of Adam and Eve” by Bernardo Strozzi; and a 17th-century organ made by the Antignani brothers from Brescia. Address: via del Castello 1, Pernumia (PD) Open to the public Info: www.parrocchiapernumia.it
