Audio transcription
Upon crossing the threshold, you will notice the extraordinary colour homogeneity that permeates throughout the grand interior area from the floral decorations on the ceilings to the delicate colour of the marble columns and surfaces. Note in particular the flooring: red Verona marble alternates with Istrian white and black basanite: symbolic colours which evoke the Dominican robe and the blood from the Passion of Christ and the of the martyr saints. The flooring is original, laid by Pietro da Porlezza in 1462.
At the entrance, in front of the first two columns, you come across the two unique fonts held up by so-called “hunchback” figures that perfectly represent the efforts put in by the Community in the construction of the building. The oldest hunchback is to the left, built in 1495 by Gabriele Caliari father of the famous Paolo known as “Il Veronese”. The right one was made by Paolo Orefice: it is known as Pasquino because it was exhibited in the Basilica at Easter (Pasqua) 1591.
