Last updated on .
The Church of Santa Corona (Chiesa di Santa Corona) is one of the most important churches in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Vicenza, Italy. Although not built by Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), it contains one of his most important works in the city.
History
Santa Corona was built between 1261 and 1270 to hold a supposed thorn from Christ’s crown of thorns. Between 1481 and 1489, the church was modified by architect Lorenzo da Bologna and many side chapels were built. Later on, many buildings in its complex were converted to other uses, such as the cloister which now houses the Civic Archaeology and Nature Museum.
Visiting
Adult admission to Santa Corona is €3 (as of August 2024) or free with a Biglietto Unico. It’s open daily except Mondays.
Exterior
The façade features a rose window with a 19th century relief above the door. The entire exterior is made of brick.
Nave
The church is on the plan of a Latin cross. It’s bright and a bit plain outside of the side chapels. The ornate main altar was made between 1667 and 1669 by the famous Corbarelli stone-working family of Florence.
Side Chapels
There are several side chapels in Santa Corona. Of the ones that stuck out to me were the Chapel of San Giuseppe (Cappella di San Giuseppe), third on the right; Thiene Chapel (Cappella Thiene), at the end on the right; and the Garzadori Altar (Altare Garzadori), on the fifth left span.
The Thiene Chapel (Capella Thiene) was built in 1390 by Giovanni Thiene, who was buried in the ark on the left wall in 1415. In the ark on the right wall is his great-uncle Marco Thiene. On the altar is a painting of Madonna enthroned with the Child venerated by St. Peter and St. Pius V by Giambattista Pittoni.
The Garzadori Altar (Altare Garzadori) is the most beautiful altar in Vicenza, built in the early 16th century. On the sides are two pillars with the Garzadori coat of arms. In the center is a painting of the Baptism of Christ by Giovanni Bellini, completed between 1500 and 1502.
Rosary Chapel
The Rosary Chapel (Cappella del Rosario) is the most spectacular of the chapels in Santa Corona. It’s the fourth chapel on the right and was finished in 1619 to commemorate the Republic of Venice’s victory over the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto, in which Vicenza contributed two ships.
At the altar is a statue of the Virgin of the Rosary. On the sides there are four statues on pedestals, all sculpted by Giambattista Albanese. On the walls are scenes from the battle and the life of the Virgin Mary.
Crypt
Finally, in the crypt is the most famous part of the church, the Valmarana Chapel (Cappella Valmarana). This chapel was designed in 1576 by Andrea Palladio after the death of Antonio Valmarana. It wasn’t built until 1597, however. Palladio himself is also buried in the crypt.
