Basilica of Saints Felice and Fortunato

The early-Christian architectural group of the Basilica of Saints Felice and Fortunato is one of the most important in our region. In its present form it is a Romanesque reconstruction from the second half of the 10th century with many additions from the 12th century. It stands on the site of two previous buildings: the first, known as the ancient basilica, has mosaics which are attributed to the second half of the 4th or the beginning of the 5th century, and the second is probably of the mid-5th century.
It has been possible to trace enough of the foundations of the ancient basilica to reconstruct the floor-plan. The building had a rectangular hall, with an atrium, and flanked by service rooms. The monumental group of the Santi Felice e Fortunato was built in the 5th century and was much bigger, with three naves all covered in mosaic, with a narthex to which was later added a four-arched porch.
An important and still existing part of the group is the votive chapel of Santa Maria Mater Domini.
The arrival of the Hungarian hordes (end of the 9th century) led to serious devastation, and the basilica was re-built in the 10th century and restored after the damage caused by the earthquake of 1117. In the course of the 15th century and later on in the 17th, more radical changes were carried out.
In 1939 restoration work on the building was started, and completed in 1993.
Inside there are paintings by Giulio Carpioni ("The Massacre of the innocent Martyrs", "Saints Cassia, Innocenza, Gaudenzia and Neofita", "The Martyrdom of Saints Vito, Modesto and Crescenzia"), and by Alessandro Maganza ("San Valentino healing the Sick").
Among the furnishing the precious 15th century monolithic tabernacle is an important example of flamboyant Gothic.
Parish Church.

The Worship of the Martyrs and the Votive Chapel of Santa Maria Mater Domini - Liturgical notes

Text approved by the Arts Office of the Diocese of Vicenza

Address: corso Santi Felice e Fortunato, 219 - tel. 0444 547246

Weekday Masses: 8.30, 18.30
Pre-Feast-day Masses: 18.30
Feast-day Masses: 8.30, 10.00, 11.30, 18.30

Opening times: from Monday to Saturday 9.00-12.00 and 15.30-19.30