Santa Maria in Araceli, Baroque church in Vicenza, Italy
Santa Maria in Araceli is a late-Baroque church in Vicenza, built from 1672 to 1680 on designs attributed to Guarino Guarini and executed by Carlo Borella. Its two-tiered facade is framed by Corinthian columns and pilasters, topped by a radiant ring with the Madonna and prophets David and Moses. Inside, the dome cornice carries an inscription with the completion date and Borella's name.
Construction began between 1672 and 1680 under architect Guarino Guarini and was consecrated in 1743. The building later stood closed for decades before undergoing major restoration work that finished in 1990.
The name derives from Santa Maria ad Cellam, the convent's name, later shortened to Araceli. Since 2005 the church has hosted Vicenza's Romanian Greek-Catholic community, which celebrates the Byzantine liturgy here. The interior preserves a 13th-century painted crucifix from San Vito.
The church has been closed for restoration since 2020, so check locally before planning a visit. It stands near the Bacchiglione, in an area that has flooded repeatedly, notably in 1882, 1966 and 2010. Since 2005 it has hosted Vicenza's Romanian community of the Byzantine rite.
The original architectural designs by Guarino Guarini lay hidden until researchers found them in the Vatican Library in 1965. These drawings reveal details about the architect's planning process for the building.
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