Vicenza

Vicenza, UNESCO world heritage town

 

The work of the architect Andrea Palladio (XVI century), based on a detailed study of classical Roman architecture, gives the city its unique appearance.

Palladio's urban buildings, as well as his villas, scattered throughout the Veneto region, had a decisive influence on the development of architecture.

Vicenza’s top attractions:

Basilica Palladiana or "Palazzo della Ragione": it is a massive structure on the city's main square (Piazza dei Signori), designed by the architect Palladio. It still has the old and leaning clock tower from a previous building on that site. The building reopened recently after lengthy restoration works and now houses temporary art exhibitions and a fashionable bar on the rooftop terrace with nice views over the city.

Olympic Theatre:  it is arguably one of Palladio's two great masterpieces. Teatro Olimpico is the oldest enclosed theater in the world, and is most noteworthy for its use of Renaissance perspective in a three-dimensional space. The facade is decorated with stone carvings, wooden statues, and painted tromp l'oeil to make it look like a busy street scene.

Sanctuary of Monte Berico:  located on top of Monte Berico and visible from every part of the city center, this church was built in the 19th century to replace a Gothic structure built to honor a promise the city made to the Virgin Mary to build a church after a devastating plague ended. An apparition was purported to have occurred here, and every 8th of September flocks of devotees walk from the base of the hill up to the church through 192 steps. The walk from the town to the church is lined with beautiful porticoes. 

Villa Capra or the Rotonda: is the highlight, and sometimes, main and only reason, of anyone's trip to Vicenza. Designed by Palladio, it is the architect's thesis project, containing all of his revolutionary ideas into one perfect and harmonious building. As harmonious as the exterior is, the interior is also breathtaking, being completely frescoed with tromp l'oeil scenes from the villa's ideal everyday life.