Vicenza

<< Veneto

Vicenza is a city in Veneto located between Verona and Padua, at the foot of the Berici Hills. It is a city of ancient origins, first inhabited by Venetic tribes before flourishing as an important regional center under the Romans. Vicenza remained relevant throughout the Middle Ages before being absorbed into the domains of Venice. The Renaissance was the city’s golden age, when Vicenza thrived with the construction of numerous lavish palaces, many of which were designed by Andrea Palladio. The city eventually became part of Italy in 1866, and now it’s a notable industrial center, while also being visited for its culture and architecture, with many of its Renaissance palaces being listed among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

✪ Basilica Palladiana

The Basilica Palladiana is a large building dominating over Piazza dei Signori and Piazza delle Erbe. Originally a 15th-century palace hosting the local government, it was completely reworked by Andrea Palladio. Palladio surrounded the previous Gothic structure with an elaborate loggia and a portico, and it became one of the greatest and most famous works by the architect. The large internal halls now host temporary exhibitions and the Museo del Gioiello, a collection showcasing the prestigious local jewelry.

✪ Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori is the heart of Vicenza. While one side is dominated by the Basilica Palladiana and Torre Bissara, it is fully surrounded by historic palaces. Opposite the Basilica Palladiana is the elaborate 16th-century Palazzo del Capitaniato, with a loggia and frescoed interiors. Next to it is the long Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, which includes the Baroque facade of the ancient Church of San Vincenzo. Two tall columns close the eastern side of the square, connecting it to Piazza delle Biade and the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi.

✪ Teatro Olimpico

The splendid Teatro Olimpico is a covered theatre featuring the oldest stage set still in use today. This stage is extremely elaborate and it includes a beautiful trompe-l’œil scenery. The Teatro Olimpico was inspired by the ancient Roman theaters and it was built between 1580 and 1585. This was the last work of Palladio and one of his finest masterpieces.

✪ Palazzo Chiericati

Palazzo Chiericati is an elaborate Renaissance palace designed by Andrea Palladio. It is richly decorated both on the outside and the inside, and it hosts a museum with rich collections of paintings and sculptures, especially from the Renaissance and the Early Modern period. The museum also includes a section focused on numismatics and other historic artifacts.

✪ Palazzo Leoni Montanari

The 17th-century Baroque Palazzo Leoni Montanari hosts a rich art museum known as Gallerie d’Italia – Vicenza. This art gallery includes various paintings by 18th-century Venetian artists, an interesting collection of Russian icons, and hundreds of decorated vases from ancient Greece and Magna Graecia.

✪ Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Monte Berico

Monte Berico is a hill overlooking Vicenza. On the top of it stands the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Monte Berico (Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico), a large and decorated Baroque basilica. A first church was built here during the 15th century, but was later reworked and finally completed in 1703. The facade is really elaborate, while the interior hosts various paintings, sculptures, and other artworks.

✪ Villa La Rotonda

Also known as: Villa Almerico Capra

Villa La Rotonda is a large patrician villa just outside Vicenza, arguably the greatest and most famous work of Andrea Palladio. It was built at the end of the 16th century and it features a circular central hall adorned with lavish and elaborate decorations, featuring numerous frescoes and sculptures. The symmetrical exterior hosts porticoes on every side. The iconic structure is one of the most influential and imitated Renaissance villas.

Villa Valmarana ai Nani

Villa Valmarana ai Nani is a patrician villa located just outside of Vicenza. It hosts a remarkable cycles of impressive frescoes painted by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and his son Giovanni Domenico. Notable is also the presence of various sculptures of garden gnomes, called “nani”, hence the name of the villa.

Torre Bissara

Torre Bissara is a tall civic tower on Piazza dei Signori, next to the Basilica Palladiana, and it is one of the most iconic and recognizable symbols of Vicenza. The Gothic structure was first erected in the 11th century, but it has been raised and reworked various times, including recently after the heavy damaged it suffered during World War II.

Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe is the historic market square of Vicenza, located behind the Basilica Palladiana. A feature of this square is the Torre del Girone, a medieval tower once used as prison and connected to the Basilica Palladiana with the Arco degli Zavattieri.

Vicenza Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunciata

The Vicenza Cathedral started its history as a Paleochristian church, and it was rebuilt and expanded numerous times. The present Gothic facade was erected in the 15th century, but most of the church has been repaired after suffering heavy damage during World War I. Many of the great works of art hosted in the church were also lost during the war, but there are still a few remarkable paintings and decorated chapels.

Roman Cryptoporticus

The Roman Cryptoporticus of Vicenza (Criptoportico Romano) is an ancient covered passage dating from the 1st century BCE and running underneath some of the current buildings. It is the best example of cryptoporticus in Northern Italy.

Church of Santa Corona

The Church of Santa Corona is a large religious building of Gothic style, erected during the 13th century. The interior features various artworks by Renaissance artists, most notably the Baptism of Christ (Battesimo di Cristo) altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini, and various richly decorated chapels. Andrea Palladio was initially buried here, before being moved to the city’s cemetery.

Natural History and Archaeological Museum

The former monastery adjacent to the Church of Santa Corona now houses the Natural History and Archaeological Museum (Museo Naturalistico Archeologico). The museum hosts an exhibit on the local environment and a collection of archaeological findings showcasing the city’s long history.

Palladio Museum

The museum dedicated to Andrea Palladio is hosted inside Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, one of the many works by the architect in Vicenza. The museum showcases the life and works of Palladio and it is part of a cultural and research center focused on the history of architecture.

Palazzo Thiene

Palazzo Thiene is a Renaissance palace partially designed by Andrea Palladio, built between the 15th and 16th century. Now it hosts an art gallery and it is used as a venue for cultural events.

Parco Querini

Parco Querini is a nice large park in the northern part of Vicenza. The park is surrounded by the rivers Bacchiglione and Astichello, but it is mostly famous for the small circular temple built in 1820 and located on a tiny island in a lake.

Piazza Castello

Piazza Castello is one of the main squares of Vicenza and it was once the site of a castle. Now it hosts the Monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, and two Renaissance palaces designed by Palladio, Palazzo Porto Breganze and Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare. The western side of Piazza Castello is closed by an ancient city gate with a tower on top known as Torrione del Castello.

Giardini Salvi

Giardini Salvi is a city park located just outside the city gate of Piazza Castello. Despite its small size, it’s notable for hosting two Palladian loggias facing a tiny lake. The park also hosts various statues.

Church of San Lorenzo

The Church of San Lorenzo is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture. It was built at the end of the 13th century and it features a facade with elaborate decorations. The interior host various historic artworks and adorned chapels. Adjacent to the church there is a cloister with some sculptures.

Basilica of Santi Felice e Fortunato

The Basilica of Santi Felice e Fortunato is a Romanesque church of Paleochristian origins, probably erected around the 4th or 5th century. The church was later adorned with more architectural elements during the Middle Ages, while still preserving its ancient mosaics. It also features a 10th-century decorated bell tower.

Risorgimento and Resistance Museum

The Risorgimento and Resistance Museum (Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza) is located just outside Vicenza, a bit further south than the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Monte Berico. It is a military museum focused on the history of Vicenza and the surrounding area in the 19th and 20th century.