Vicenza and the Begging Orders

The 13th century was for the whole Church a period of great spiritual renewal and the Begging orders drew from it their most profound aspirations, preaching from where they lived in the city their Evangelical spirit of charity and penance.

Three great orders exist in Vicenza:

• the Dominicans, at the Church of Santa Corona, which houses the richest art collection of the city;
• the Franciscans, still the custodians of the Church of San Lorenzo, perhaps the most suggestive church with its extraordinary balance of Gothic and Romanesque forms;
• the Servants of Maria, who contributed from the Church of Santa Maria in Foro to spread that devotion to Mary which is such an important feature of Vicenza's religious life.
  

By the Arts Office of the Diocese of Vicenza