the church of saint anthony the great

In the homeland of the one and only San Daniele prosciutto crudo, there would of course have to be a Church dedicated to the patron saint of butchers and charcutiers: Saint Anthony the Great. Also known as the protector of peasants, animal breeders, domestic animals and often invoked against St. Anthony’s fire (shingles), this saint is usually depicted with a pig alongside him. Traditionally, the animals were blessed on the 17th of January and placed under saint’s protection. According to history, the Anthonian Order were allowed to raise swine inside the city centre, and therefore the beasts were allowed to roam about freely, with bells around their necks, feeding at the community’s expense. This was tolerated given the fact that the fat from these animals was applied to those who were affected by St. Anthony’s fire. This particular type of breeding left traces in the local language and the expressions used in this area. In fact, in the Friulian dialect, if someone is called purcit di Sant’Antoni (pig of St. Anthony), it means that he is someone who is always lounging about.

The Church of Saint Anthony the Great is located in the city centre in Via Garibaldi. It was the church that belonged to the Hospital of Saint Anthony the Great, which at one time was housed in the building opposite, now known as the former city hall. It was first consecrated in 1308 and was later damaged during the earthquake of 1348. Its reconstruction began in 1441, and the pre-existing building was lengthened and readapted by the Fraternity of the Hospital of Anthony the Great, which cared for the poor, orphans, abandoned children and pilgrims. It was then consecrated a second time in 1470, as attested to by the epigraph above the main door.
The Gothic-Venetian style facade is made of Istrian stone, and is similar to the one found on the Church of Santa Maria della Fratta, but without the mullioned belfry window, which had been present up until 1820. The splayed main door lies between two ogival windows and features a carved lunette displaying the figures of St. Anthony the Great, St. John the Baptist and St. Anthony of Padua. Above it there is the customary bust of the Eternal Father, while the rose window is decorated with pillars and a clipeus depicting the Madonna and Child in the centre. The Church is no longer used for worship.
The interior of the Church features a splendid series of frescoes that can be admired by visitors. These were created by Martino of Udine, better known as the Pilgrim of San Daniele, in several phases between the years 1497 and 1522, when the works were completed.