Santa Maria Annunciata Cathedral of Vicenza, an enormous dome which was designed by Andrea Palladio (he was probably the author of the North side door).

It is believed that the first Church that stood on this spot, was named the most revered in Vicenza of St. Euphemia the great Martyr, whose relics now stored inside the Cathedral. Probably in the 6th century was the first renaming of the temple, which was called Santa Maria. This was due to the fact that, soon after carrying out in 431, the year of the Third Ecumenical Council of the Christian Church, which was proclaimed the dogma of the blessed virgin Mary, many churches were renamed in her honor. First it belonged to the chief of the religious structure of the city – the Cathedral. And later, probably between the 7th and 8th centuries, the name of Santa Maria has been added to the console of Annunciata because it was at that time widespread the feast of the Annunciation (L Annunciazione).

In 1467, the year the sculptor Pietro Lombardo from Karon was commissioned to make a tomb monument, and the arts of Ricardo, which is now immured in the wall of the Cathedral, and in 1468, the year – tombstone Alberto Ricardo, brother Battista, the local archdeacon.

The construction of the apse of the Cathedral was begun in 1482, the year the project by Lorenzo da Bologna, but to 1531, the ninth year she remained unfinished. First, a temporary roof was erected in 1540, the year, because it was assumed that in Vicenza will be held the Council of Trent (later moved to Trento). Only in 1557, the year of the commune of Vicenza were able to achieve from the Venetian Republic of the receipt of funds to complete the construction of the Cathedral. Responsible for execution of works was appointed Andrea Palladio, who was probably the author of the project of the entire religious complex. Construction proceeded in two stages: in 1558-59-m respectively above the Windows was installed on the eaves, and was made the drum of the dome, and the dome itself was built in 1564-66-m years. Having the shape of a lantern and devoid of scenery, he later served as a model for the dome of the Church San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice.

In 1560, the year Paolo Almerico asked permission from the head of the Cathedral to erect, at his expense, the Northern portal of the Church in the likeness of the oratory of San Giovanni decollato. We are talking about Paolo Almerico, which a few years later instruct Andrea Palladio the construction of the famous Villa La Rotonda. The portal was made in 1565, the year. Its authorship is ascribed to the same Palladio, although there are no supporting documents or personal sketches of the architect. Historians rely on the similarity of the portal of the Cathedral with ancient samples, is well known to Palladio, and with the side portals of the Cathedral of San Pietro di Castello in Venice, over which Palladio worked in 1558, the year.

During the Second World war, Santa Maria Annunciata was severely damaged during the bombing of the city by American troops. Remained only the facade. Destroyed part of the Cathedral, including the dome of Palladio, were reconstructed, but priceless frescoes that adorn its interior, were lost forever. Near the Cathedral is the Diocesan Museum, which houses a variety of exhibits related to the history of Santa Maria Annunciata.