Church of Scientology Padova Grand Opening Photos

In ceremonies attended by more than 7,000 Scientologists and guests from across Italy and Europe, the Church of Scientology Padova was dedicated on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, led the dedication ceremony with local Church officials. City, provincial and national leaders on hand to commemorate the opening included Senator of the Republic of Italy for Veneto, the Honorable Maurizio Saia; Alderman for Security, Immigration and Volunteer Activities for the Province of Padova, Mr. Enrico Pavanetto; and Mayor of Grantorto, Mr. Luciano Gavin. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Church of Scientology Padova celebrated the opening of their new home, the historic Villa Francesconi-Lanza, on October 27, 2012. The Church fully restored the landmark to serve its ever-growing congregation and extend humanitarian programs to communities across the Veneto region. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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On Saturday, October 27, more than 7,000 Scientologists and guests celebrated the grand opening of their new Church. A landmark in Arcella since the 1700s, the historic villa now houses all facilities of a 21st century Ideal Church of Scientology to serve parishioners and the community for decades to come. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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In testament to the significance of the new Church, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, led the opening ceremony. In his dedication address, Mr. Miscavige told Padova Church staff and parishioners: “We come to a new inscription on the tablet of Italian history. For today we engrave your pledge to Padova in marble and stone—a pledge to bring our help and the infinite wisdom of L. Ron Hubbard’s technology to this region. It’s an inscription that will never suffer the ravages of time nor turn to dust with the winds of change. For in the same spirit with which you restored this landmark to glory and so built this Church, it is now within your power to restore the glory of life to every community and individual therein.” © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Executive Director of the Church of Scientology Padova, Mr. Claudio Zonta, spoke of the restoration of the historical Villa Francesconi-Lanza, “We are very proud to have fully restored this historic landmark. And we owe our permanent gratitude to the highly skilled laborers, architects and artisans of Padova whose devotion to the task was inspiring in itself. But most of all, we are proud to return to Padova a place where everyone can again come together—and where we now devote ourselves to creating a better community for all of Veneto!” © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Senator of the Republic of Italy for Veneto, the Honorable Maurizio Saia, said in welcoming the Church: “Through my 40 years in politics, the world hasn’t always changed as I wanted. Here in front of me I see thousands of people that are still actively cherishing their dream to see a better world. I look forward to this Church being a place where the doors are forever opened wide, allowing people to come together and meet freely, think freely, and act freely, no matter their religious belief.” © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Province of Padova Alderman for Security, Immigration and Volunteer Activities, Mr. Enrico Pavanetto, acknowledged the Church’s drug prevention work in the province: “I have found that your anti-drug campaign is effective in helping young people to think about why it’s better to have a sane life. I am proud that Padova is the province that promotes the anti-drug message, and I want to thank your initiative with all my heart.” © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Grantorto Mayor Luciano Gavin welcomed the Church’s volunteer initiatives to Veneto and particularly their effective disaster response, including to recent earthquakes: “It is emblematic to see the Scientology Volunteer Ministers and the civil protection team from the Scientology community springing to aid. You don’t just sit back watching the news about calamities, commenting how horrible it is, but you demonstrate the will to help. That help is priceless. No matter a person’s political or religious beliefs, I want your initiatives to be done by everyone.” © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion (second from right) dedicated the Church. Among those participating in the ceremony were (left to right): Alderman for Security, Immigration and Volunteer Activities for the Province of Padova, Mr. Enrico Pavanetto; Senator of the Republic of Italy for Veneto, the Honorable Maurizio Saia; and Mayor of Grantorto, Mr. Luciano Gavin. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Church of Scientology Padova
The new home of the Padova Church of Scientology, the historic Villa Francesconi-Lanza, serves the growing congregation across the Veneto region. The Church fully restored the 18th century estate to its original splendor—both to preserve a Venetian cultural landmark and to provide a center where members of all faiths may collaborate on community initiatives. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Church of Scientology Padova
The Church of Scientology Ideal Organization stands in Padova’s northern district of Arcella. The Church fully restored the 18th century historic landmark, returning the Venetian Villa to its original glory. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Reception
The Church welcomes all visitors wishing to obtain an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Scientology Public Information Center
The Church’s Public Information Center provides a complete introduction to every aspect of Dianetics and Scientology—including the beliefs and practices of the religion as well as a biographical presentation on the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Information Center further presents exhibits on the many humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs the Church sponsors. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the Center’s displays at their leisure and to return as often as they like. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Chapel
All Scientology congregational services and ceremonies are convened in the Chapel, including Sunday Services open to the community. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Chapel
The Chapel serves as an ideal venue for banquets, receptions and events in the name of community collaboration for the betterment of Veneto. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Café Lanza
The Café welcomes those touring the Church or attending its many scheduled events. It is further provided for parishioners during breaks in their Scientology services. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Dianetics and Scientology Bookstore
The bookstore makes available Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s scripture on Dianetics and Scientology. In all, Mr. Hubbard’s legacy comprises tens of millions of published words in dozens of books and thousands of recorded lectures. Materials are available in 50 languages. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Introductory Seminars
One of several Seminar Rooms providing for evening and weekend seminars on the fundamentals of Dianetics and Scientology. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Hubbard Guidance Center
The Hubbard Guidance Center is where Scientologists participate in auditing (spiritual counseling). Beyond this waiting area are rows of auditing rooms to meet the needs of the Church’s growing congregation. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Scientology Auditing Room
Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling) is delivered in dozens of auditing rooms, each of which provides a quiet, distraction-free environment necessary to achieve spiritual enlightenment. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Purification Center
L. Ron Hubbard developed the Purification Program to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins, through a regimen of exercise, sauna and nutrition—all of which are provided for in the Purification Center. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Purification Center Mural
The Purification Center’s mural pays homage to Padova’s incomparable Prato della Valle. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Academy
The Academy is where Scientologists train to become auditors (spiritual counselors), capable of applying the technology of auditing to help others attain spiritual freedom. The Padova Academy comprises multiple course rooms, each devoted to a different aspect of training. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Office of L. Ron Hubbard
Traditional in all Churches of Scientology is the Office of L. Ron Hubbard, honoring the religion’s Founder and symbolizing that this Church is true to his writings and ideals. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Church of Scientology Padova
The Church of Scientology’s new home is the historic Villa Francesconi-Lanza in Arcella. The landmark estate was the holiday residence of Padova nobility and has remained a landmark in the city for nearly three centuries. The Church meticulously restored the building to its original splendor and it now stands to serve for the century ahead. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Restoration of the façade included all original Vicenza stone trim and the terra cotta balconies above the entryways to the most historic wing of the villa, which was constructed circa 1744. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Historical features restored on the villa’s façade include the Venetian Gothic window, an architectural element found throughout the region since the style emerged in the 14th century. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Among the original features now preserved in the villa’s oldest quarters are an ornate fresco ceiling and the stone trim framing Palladian-inspired archways. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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This original stone doorway, topped by an intricate frieze of Venetian stucco, is exemplary of the villa’s finer details restored and preserved for generations to come. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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During the extensive restoration, artisans diligently returned the building’s finest details to their 18th century condition—including this elaborate fresco trim below cornice molding. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Restoration included painstaking work to bring all original detail back to life in this intricate fresco of lilies of the Nile (agapanthus). © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The extensive work to restore the villa included preserving the centuries-old brick and wood-beamed ceilings and oak trusses throughout the interior. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Original craftsmanship of Villa Francesconi-Lanza has been carefully preserved, including the hand-painted wooden ceiling. The rosette geometric pattern, dating to the Renaissance and derived from the ancient flower of life, was a typical design found in Venetian villas. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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The Church’s restoration also brought the villa into the 21st century, as in the original central stairwell topped by a modern skylight. © 2025 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.

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Church of Scientology Padova Grand Opening Photos

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