Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Italy Mantua Basilica di Sant'Andrea
AO Edited

Basilica di Sant'Andrea

It took more than 300 years to build this church, which is home to two sacred vessels believed to hold the blood of Christ.

Mantua, Italy

Added By
Lakehurst
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Inside the basilica   mykaul/CC BY-ND 2.0
The relics are kept under this marker in the basilica   Getty / AGF
The Sacred Vessels   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_...
  Marco FrontSoldier/Public Domain
Basilica di Sant’Andrea   Marinomn/Public Domain
  Gord Webster/CC BY-SA 2.0
  Gord Webster/CC BY-SA 2.0
The vault with the relics of Christ and Faith and Hope statues by Antonio Canova.   Gisela Monteiro / Atlas Obscura User
  mykaul/CC BY-ND 2.0
  José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro / CC BY-SA 4.0
  Gord Webster/CC BY-SA 2.0
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The Basilica di Sant'Andrea stands in Mantua's historical center, overlooking the Piazza Mantegna. In the crypt are kept two reliquaries with earth soaked in the blood of Christ.

Christian tradition holds that while Jesus was being crucified, a Roman soldier named Longinus pierced his side with a lance. After Jesus died, Longinus repented for his sin and collected the blood-soaked soil from underneath the cross. That mix of blood and earth is now considered a holy relic, the Preziosissimo Sangue di Cristo ("Most Precious Blood of Christ"). Though stories vary, Longinus is said to have eventually made his way to Mantua, where the relic would eventually be housed in the Basilica di Sant'Andrea.

Construction began on the basilica in 1472. It was designed by Leon Battista Alberti, an Italian Renaissance humanist, architect, philosopher, and artist. The elaborate design featured an arch inspired by the Arch of Trajan,  fluted Corinthian columns, and a vaulted roof. It took more than 300 years to build the basilica. The large dome that sits on top of the building was designed by Filippo Juvarra in the late 18th century, and the final interior decorations were completed in 1790.

The Basilica di Sant'Andrea was first built to receive pilgrims for the Christian feast of the Ascension. Celebrated 40 days after Easter, the feast marks the moment when Jesus was said to have physically ascended into heaven. During the celebration at the Basilica di Sant'Andrea, two vessels are brought from the crypt under the dome to the interior of the central nave.  

Related Tags

Relics And Reliquaries Christianity Basilicas

Know Before You Go

Basilica di Sant'Andrea is in one of the three main square in the historical center of the city, easy to reach walking or with a city bus. The center isn't reachable by car.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Italy: Roman Carbonara, Florentine Steak & Venetian Cocktails

Savor local cuisine across Rome, Florence & Venice.

Book Now

Community Contributors

Added By

Lakehurst

Edited By

cjklever, Gisela Monteiro, Michelle Cassidy

  • cjklever
  • Gisela Monteiro
  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

April 5, 2021

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Sant%27Andrea,_Mantua
  • https://religiana.com/basilica-santandrea-mantua
Basilica di Sant'Andrea
1 Piazza Andrea Mantegna
Mantua, 46100
Italy
45.158891, 10.794388
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Sant'Andrea's Hare

Mantua, Italy

miles away

Rotonda di San Lorenzo

Mantua, Italy

miles away

Torre della Gabbia (Tower Cage)

Mantua, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mantua

Mantua

Italy

Places 14
Stories 1

Nearby Places

Sant'Andrea's Hare

Mantua, Italy

miles away

Rotonda di San Lorenzo

Mantua, Italy

miles away

Torre della Gabbia (Tower Cage)

Mantua, Italy

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Mantua

Mantua

Italy

Places 14
Stories 1

Related Places

  • Three Kings Reliquary

    Cologne, Germany

    Shrine of the Three Kings

    The bones of the Biblical Magi traveled to Constantinople and Milan before landing in their current home inside an elaborate golden reliquary in the Cologne Cathedral.

  • Velha Goa, India

    Museum of Christian Art

    Located within a 17th-century convent, this museum features centuries-old Christian art pieces that meld European and Asian influences.

  • Saint Valentine’s Basilica in Terni, the City of Lovers.

    Terni, Italy

    Basilica of St. Valentine

    Terni calls itself the "City of Lovers" and celebrates its links to Saint Valentine on February 14th—but is it the right Saint Valentine?

  • The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is Northern Kentucky’s very own Notre Dame.

    Covington, Kentucky

    Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption

    Northern Kentucky’s very own Notre Dame showcases intricate stained glass and the bones of saints.

  • Inside the church

    Atotonilco, Mexico

    Santuario de Atotonilco

    The walls and ceilings of the "Mexican Sistine Chapel" are almost completely covered with mural, sculpture, inscriptions and oil paintings.

  • Frescoes in the basilica chapel.

    Rome, Italy

    Basilica of Santi Quattro Coronati

    A fortified medieval basilica on the Caelian Hill preserves extraordinary frescoes and one of Rome's most beautiful hidden cloisters.

  • Basilica ruins.

    Selçuk, Turkey

    Basilica of St. John

    This crumbling medieval basilica once attracted pilgrims by the thousands to collect a miraculous dust that formed above the saint's tomb.

  • Basilica of Santa Sabina.

    Rome, Italy

    Basilica of Santa Sabina

    The best preserved Paleochristian basilica in Rome hides a number of oddities and secrets.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.