Chiesa dei SS Francesco e Giustina

The tradition holds that St. Francis passed through Polesine and Rovigo in 1213, which would have led to the establishment of small Franciscan communities, one of the oldest of which settled in Lendinara. In 1292, Obizzo II d'Este ordered in his will the construction of a Franciscan convent, which was to be located not far from the Church of Santa Giustina, no longer in existence today. In this initial phase, the church, built according to Franciscan regulations, was to consist of a single nave with wooden trusses and a T-shaped plan. Important modifications were made in the 15th century, with the addition of a nave on the right side and the creation of five noble chapels, but the most radical intervention began in 1826 and concluded with the realization of the neoclassical facade designed by Lorenzo Rossini, completed in 1892. Today, only a part of the original cloister remains, along with the 14th-century chapter hall, five pointed arches on the exterior, and the two square coats of arms with the Este eagles placed on either side of the entrance portal.