Santa Eufemia, Verona

The Sant'Eufemia Church in Verona's historic center is a notable Catholic place of worship with ancient Roman roots. Possibly from the 6th century, it was established by the Della Scala family in 1262. Augustinian hermit monks were invited and a monastery was built, consecrated in 1331 by Bishop Nicolò.

A significant development occurred in 1340, with Mastino II della Scala granting permission for the construction of the expansive apse that remains a distinguishing feature of the church today. Progress continued into the late 14th century, as various chapels and smaller altars were added.

In the 18th century, the church was modified with a new façade and interior changes. This included adding a vaulted ceiling to hide old trusses and a large arch separating the presbytery from the hall. The monastery's importance declined due to the 1630 plague and reduced population. After this, the church reopened during Austrian rule and offered shelter in Italian independence wars.

In the early 20th century, efforts were made to restore and strengthen the church's walls. However, on April 25, 1945, the nearby Vittoria bridge was blown up by retreating German soldiers, causing significant damage to the church's facade. During the subsequent reconstruction, a large rose window was crafted to replace the previous 18th-century single lancet window.

Within the expansive interior of the church, several valuable works by artists from the Veronese school can be found. These include creations by Giovan Francesco Caroto, Francesco Torbido, Moretto, Dionisio Battaglia, Battista del Moro, Paolo Farinati, Jacopo Ligozzi, Bernardino India, and Domenico and Felice Brusasorzi.