5. The Chapel of blessed Luke Belludi

Added to the Basilica complex in the latter part of the 14th century, it is named after Blessed Luke, St. Anthony’s companion and secretary, whose remains are preserved under the altar.
Behind the altar is a sarcophagus raised by small columns: it seems that from 1263 to 1310 this was the altar-tomb of St. Anthony, in which the Saint’s body was placed when it was decided to move it in front of the Basilica’s presbytery.
To support this theory, the fresco by Giusto de’ Menabuoi on the northeastern side of the chapel shows us the thaumaturgical use that was made of the tomb: under the elevated tomb the sick were made to pass to receive grace.