Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Arena Chapel
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Interior view of the Arena Chapel in Padua, Italy, featuring Giotto's frescoes on the walls and a blue vaulted ceiling decorated with gold stars and medallions. Fresco by Giotto depicting the Nativity: Mary and baby Jesus in a stable, Joseph seated nearby, angels above, and shepherds with sheep at right, in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua. Giotto: Adoration of the Magi Giotto: Entry into Jerusalem Fresco by Giotto showing Judas Iscariot embracing Jesus to betray him, surrounded by soldiers and disciples, with raised torches and weapons, in the Scrovegni Chapel, Padua. Giotto: Lamentation Giotto: Noli Me Tangere Giotto: Joachim's Dream Giotto: detail of The Last Judgment
Quick Facts
Also called:
Scrovegni Chapel
See all related content
Britannica AI Icon
Adding us as a Preferred Source tells Google you trust our content, so our articles show up more often in your Google Search, Discover feed, and AI Overviews.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Giotto: frescoes in the Arena Chapel
Giotto: frescoes in the Arena Chapel View looking toward the west in the Arena Chapel (also called the Scrovegni Chapel), in Padua, Italy, where a depiction of the Last Judgment covers the entire wall, frescoes by Giotto, 1303–05.

Arena Chapel

chapel, Padua, Italy
Also known as: Scrovegni Chapel
Written and fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Arena Chapel, small chapel built in the first years of the 14th century in Padua, Italy, by Enrico Scrovegni and containing frescoes by the Florentine painter Giotto. A depiction of the Last Judgment covers the entire west wall. The rest of the chapel is covered with frescoes in three tiers representing scenes from the lives of Saints Anne and Joachim, the life of the Virgin, the Annunciation, and the Life and Passion of Christ, concluding with the Pentecost. Below the three narrative bands is a fourth containing monochrome personifications of the virtues and vices. The frescoes are generally dated about 1303–05. The building was consecrated on March 25, 1305.

1 of 9
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Alicja Zelazko.