Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, Predappio

Photo 1 shows a wide square in front of a white stone church with a dome and a tall brick bell tower, with cars and pedestrians. — The square before the church of Sant’Antonio with parked cars, bare trees and a few pedestrians on a cloudy day. Photo: Stefano Vigolo, 2014.

Predappio · Emilia-Romagna · Church of Saint Anthony

A monumental parish church in the centre of Predappio, built between 1931 and 1934 to a design by Cesare Bazzani and dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua.

At a glance

The church stands on Piazza Sant’Antonio, the main square of Predappio, and dominates the townscape with its white stone facade, brick bell tower and copper-covered dome. The sources describe it as a work of the architect Cesare Bazzani, inaugurated on 27 October 1934 and later consecrated to Saint Anthony on 13 June 1935.

Key facts

Where: Piazza Sant’Antonio, 4, 47016 Predappio (FC)
What: Church
When: 1934, according to published sources
GPS: 44.1015, 11.9815 · Open in Google Maps

History

The first stone of a planned church was laid on 30 August 1925, when the building was intended to be dedicated to Saint Rose of Lima. Political difficulties between the Italian state and the Church halted the project. Work began again in October 1931, this time under the dedication to Saint Anthony of Padua, the Franciscan evangeliser of Romagna. The architect Cesare Bazzani had been selected through a public competition. Benito and Rachele Mussolini visited the construction site six times. The church was inaugurated on 27 October 1934 and entrusted to the Friars Minor Franciscan. It was consecrated to Saint Anthony on 13 June 1935.

What you see

The facade is clad in marble from Cagli and Trani and is divided into three parts corresponding to the internal naves. The central section is higher and crowned by a triangular pediment, within which one can still see one of the few representations of the fasces remaining in Predappio. A large arch contains a bronze lunette by the sculptor Publio Morbiducci depicting Saint Anthony of Padua, surrounded by nine bronze reliefs with angels’ faces. The bell tower rises isolated on the left side of the church complex. The interior is cruciform with three naves; at the crossing stands an octagonal tiburium supporting a copper-covered dome.

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Nearby

Palazzo delle Poste di Predappio — a short walk from the church
Casa del Fascio di Predappio — also on the main square of Predappio

Gallery

The facade of the church with its bell tower and dome from across the empty paved square, with a silver car at right. — Frontal view of the church facade with the brick bell tower, the dome and a silver car crossing the paved square Photo: Stefano Vigolo, 2014.

Sources

Turismo Forlivese, Chiesa Di Sant’antonio Da Padova – Turismo Forlivese: construction history, dedication, facade materials, Morbiducci lunette, Latin cross plan
il Romagnolo, La chiesa parrocchiale di Sant’Antonio a Predappio (FC): public competition, Bazzani as designer, Mussolini visits, Franciscan friars
Chiese Italiane, Chiesa di Sant’Antonio di Padova – Forlì – Bertinoro: construction period, parish dedication
ForlìToday, Predappio, inaugurata la mostra sulla chiesa di Sant’Antonio: consecration date 13 June 1935
Stefano Vigolo, photographs and notes to the editorial staff (2026): identification of the subject and the Google Maps coordinates. Not a published source

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