|
|
The places of faith
Holy places
|
|
| |
HOLY PLACES: A SACRED ROUTE FOR THE III MILLENNIUM
VICENZA AND CHRISTIANITY: THE ORIGINS
The art and faith itinerary through the sacred places of our town starts with the church of SS. Felice e Fortunato. The mosaics, the rigid structure of the building and the essentiality of the space help to feel the spirituality of the origins. Second stop of this itinerary is the Cattedrale, Church of S. Maria Annunciata. It is a rich archaeological site, which testifies traces of roman history. Through the centuries it collected several donations and it is now enriched with precious works of art, like the monumental Paramento Civran.
VICENZA AND THE MENDICANT ORDERS
The XIII century brought renovation in the whole Christian world and the Church was characterised by a renewed evangelic spirit of charity and penitence. The mendicant Orders were the main leaders of this new spirit. Vicenza hosted three important Orders: - the Dominicans in Tempio S.Corona, with the richest art collection in town; - the Franciscans in Tempio S. Lorenzo, perhaps the most interesting church in terms of balance of gothic and romanic forms; - the God's Servants in S. Maria in Foro, who contributed to inspire devotion to the Virgin Mary among the population of Vicenza.
VICENZA'S DEVOTION TO THE VIRGIN MARY
The renewal brought by the mendicant Orders enforced Vicenza already strong devotion to the Virgin, since XIII century. As a proof of that, the Sanctuary of Monte Berico later on became an important destination for pilgrims and the devotion reached its climax when Madonna from Monte Berico was elected patron saint of Vicenza. It is possible to admire art masterpieces dedicated to the Virgin Mary in other sanctuaries in Vicenza's province. They are: Madonna dei Miracoli in Lonigo, Madonna Salus Infirmorum di Scaldaferro and S.Maria della Pieve in Chiampo.
VICENZA: ITS ABBEYS, CHAPELS AND ORATORIES
Few of th e minor churches in Vicenza are considered important conveyors of the traditional devotion for the Virgin Mary. S. Giorgio in Gona, which hosted the town lazaret; S.Agostino Abbey, where it is possible to admire the most important frescoes in town (IV century); S.Rocco, which became a hospital to help abandoned infants; Gonfalone Oratory and S.Nicola Oratory, where secular groups of devotees used to meet and pray.
CHURCHES AND SACRED MONUMENTS |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
