Nestled in the heart of old Padua, a short train ride from Venice, the Cappella degli Scrovegni is a âthin placeâ, a place where our world grows closer to others; so close we can feel them, might reach out and touch them. Thin places are good, like blue flowers.The chapelâs an unprepossessing medieval stone building of modest size. Before you go inside, you have to wait for 15 minutes while your body humidity is lowered. Itâs important that you reserve a ticket in advance because theyâre always sold out. Though when I visited I didnât know this, and was able to sneak up to the chapel doors through the Augustinian monastery, where the guard kindly took pity on me. Inside is the most beautiful room in the cosmos. If you go now, right now, this summer, only ten visitors are allowed in at a time. Youâll never have such an opportunity again.Painted by Giotto, the great Pre-Renaissance painter, maybe the greatest artist, its frescoes tell the story of Christâs life, and of his mother Maryâs life, her role in our salvation. In this room youâre floating with the angels. Youâre caught between worlds, out of time. The ceiling is blue and full of stars.
