Basilica di San Zeno
St. Zeno's Church is one of the masterpieces of Romanesque architecture in Italy. Spread over three levels, current structure was set in the X-XI century.Among numerous works of art, it houses a masterpiece by Andrea Mantegna, St. Zeno Altarpiece. Central rose window, work by Brioloto, is decorated with six statues depicting the stages of life, conceived as a "Wheel of Fortune". The porch is signed by master Niccolò and is of twelfth century. The lions at the base are the guardians of Church. The portal is decorated with 24 bronze panels, belonging to different periods: the first are of German origin, probably merged in Saxony, while the most important are Matilda and her husband, donees of the abbey, and bear the artist's self-portrait. Triangular pediment is of white marble, in contrast with the rest of the facade in tuff stone and seven pink marble pilasters. The interior is set on three levels of height, from the bottom: Crypt, the middle and Presbytery. Crypt is the tenth century and houses the body of the Saint in a sarcophagus at sight, his face covered by silver mask. Presbytery is elevated, accessible by two staircases in the aisles, and contains the most important work of Church: the altarpiece by Andrea Mantegna, considered a masterpiece of the painting of Italian Renaissance. The bell tower is detached and rises to 62 meters.
