San Gaetano, Padua

The Church of San Gaetano is found in the central district of Padua, and its facade was designed by the late Renaissance architect Vincenzo Scamozzi.

The church was constructed from 1574 to 1586 on an octagonal layout, based on a prior chapel at the site, under the direction of the Theatines, an order founded by St Cajetan of Thiene and favored by cardinal Pietro Carafa, who became Pope Paul IV.

Along the nave, 17th-century canvases depict Saints with ties to Padua: including Prosdocimus, Antony, Giustina, and Daneiele; or the Theatine order: Cajetan and Andrea Avellino.

In the chapel of St Cajetan are two canvases by Pietro Damini: a Transfiguration with Theatine Saints and a San Carlo Borromeo heals an ill girl.

The bas-relief marble Pietà in the sacristy is by Bartolomeo Bellano and the wooden altarpiece depicting the Prayer in the Garden is by Michele Fabris.