| Let nothing, therefore, be put
before the Work of God. (RB 43, 3) |
Today, only the bell tower remains of
the original medieval structure. Across the sacristy atrium,
visitors can enter the abbey basilica dedicated to
Our Lady of the Assumption, the heart of the
monastery and its community life.
The foundation of the current church,
built using a design by
Tullio Lombardo, dates from 1490. The work was completed in 1548
with the construction of the façade door and the cupola
(1550), frescoed by Zelotti.
Veneto
painters of the 16th – 17th centuries
enriched the various chapels with altarpieces (Zelotti,
Varotari, Badile, Veronese, Campagnola and Longhi). The
large painting of our Lady of the Assumption below the rose
window is by Zelotti. The
Ascension of Christ
depicted in the apse is the work of
Domenico Campagnola.
The cross above the main altar is from the
Paduan Giottesque
school. The 16th century wooden
choir stalls behind the
altar welcome the community as it celebrates the liturgy
several times each day.
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