Santa Maria Etiopissa

Santa Maria Etiopissa is a Romanesque church in Polegge, Vicenza, built with rounded arches, thick stone walls, and sturdy piers that support the structure. The facade has few openings and uses local stone throughout its solid construction.

The church was founded on January 17, 1101, during the period when Romanesque architecture became the dominant style for religious buildings across Europe. This era brought major changes in how stone structures were designed and built.

The church displays Northern Italian features with flat blind arcades on its facade and round windows that let light into the interior. You notice these elements as you walk around and examine the building up close.

The building is regularly open to visitors who can examine the architectural details and stone carvings up close. The solid medieval construction remains visible from outside, though access may be limited during certain times.

The building shows early 12th-century construction methods that used local stone materials in a distinctive way. This building technique demonstrates how craftspeople of that era created stable structures without modern tools.

Location: Vicenza

Inception: 12 century

Architectural style: Romanesque architecture

Address: Strada Marosticana - Polegge, Vicenza (VI)

GPS coordinates: 45.60589,11.55713

Latest update: December 14, 2025 16:48