Santuario del Noce

According to legend, Anthony of Padua preached to peasants and lived among walnut trees where the chapel now stands.[1] A certain Count Gregorio Callegari and a group of friars spearheaded the original sanctuary's construction in 1432.[2] This original 9-metre (30 ft) long by 6-metre (20 ft) wide structure still exists, corresponding to the front entrance portion of the current chapel.[2] The structure was enlarged on at least three separate occasions during the second half of the 15th century, including a circa 1455 addition measuring 6 metres long by 6 metres wide.[1][2] This 1455 addition corresponds to the chapel's existing middle portion.[2] The existing back apse (which also serves as a sacristy) was only built in 1865, and renovated in a Neo-Gothic style by Augusto Zardo in 1901.[2]

On 23 May 1604 Bishop of Caorle Luigi de Grigis officially consecrated the chapel.[3][4] It is now under the jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Treviso.

Predica ai pesci ("Preaching to the fish"), Girolamo Tesssari, c. 1535–1537, fresco (detail), Santuario del Noce, Camposampiero

A circa 1533–1536 altarpiece by Bonifacio de' Pitati now in the chapel's apse depicts Anthony preaching from the walnut tree.[1][2] Between about 1535 and 1537, Girolamo Tessari painted a cycle of frescoes representing Saint Anthony's most important miracles in the chapel, including a half lunette fresco depicting Anthony's sermon to the fish.[1][2][5]

• Anthony of Padua