Not everyone knows that Gemona del Friuli can boast first sanctuary in the world dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua. Why in Gemona? Saint Anthony was returning from a long journey that took him to France and decided to stay for a few months in the town, where a community of friars was active. In 1227, in the place where the Sanctuary still stands, he decided to erect a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, the ruins of which are still visible within the present church, to the right of the presbytery.

To visit the saint’s cell, which is reached passing behind the altar and following a corridor lined with ex votos (survivors of earthquakes, fires and invasions; about eight hundred in all). The cell is the evident commemoration of the saint’s journeying here, as tradition declares that it was precisely in this room that Saint Anthony stayed in Gemona.

The first church was built in 1248 and was dedicated to him several years before the sanctuary of Padua. The present structure was built in modern architectural style since the earthquake of 1976 completely destroyed the earlier Sanctuary.

Various works of art are preserved inside. One that stands out is the great mosaic on the end wall depicting the World and the Universe crossed by a meteor symbolising the power and light of Christ; on the right, instead, is the rose window depicting the Canticle of the Sun by Saint Francis. The Sanctuary and its museum, dedicated to Renato Raffaelli, are visited by many pilgrims throughout the year and in particular on 13 June, Saint Anthony’s Day.

From the Sanctuary, you can easily walk to the heart of the historic centre of Gemona, where while sipping a good glass of wine, you can enjoy the view of the Duomo or of the Loggia di Palazzo Boton, which at sunset is illuminated by the rays of the sun, which makes them even more wonderful.