What should it see first?

Question

When traveling back from my deployment in Afghanistan I just found out my unit will be in Vincenza Italy. We will only be there for 3 weeks. What do I want/need/have to see around that area? I'm a history buff, love the arts, and partying?

Answer 1

Piazza dei Signori

South of Corso Palladio on the site of the ancient Roman Forum and still the town hub, this central square should be your first introduction to the city and Palladio, its local boy wonder.

The magnificent bigger-than-life Basilica Palladiana is not a church at all and was only partially designed by Palladio. Beneath it stood a Gothic-style Palazzo della Ragione (Law Courts and Assembly Hall) that Palladio was commissioned to convert to a High Renaissance style befitting a flourishing late-16th-century city under Venice's benevolent patronage. It was Palladio's first public work and secured his favor and reputation with the local authorities. He created two superimposed galleries, the lower with Doric pillars, the upper with Ionic. The roof was destroyed by World War II bombing but has since been rebuilt in its original style. It's open April to September, Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30am to noon and from 2 to 7pm; Sunday from 9:30am to 12:30pm and from 2 to 7pm. Off season, it's closed Sunday afternoon; free admission.

The 12th-century Torre Bissara (or Torre di Piazza) bell tower belonged to the original church and stands near two columns in the piazza's east end (the Piazza Blade), one topped by the winged lion of Venice's Serene Republic, the other by the Redentore (Redeemer). Of note elsewhere in the piazza are the Loggia del Capitaniato (1570), begun but never finished according to plans by Palladio except for the four massive redbrick columns (on the north side of piazza alongside the well-known Gran Caffè Garibaldi). Behind the basilica (to the south) is the Piazza delle Erbe, site of the daily produce market.

Corso Andrea Palladio

This is Vicenza's main street, and what a grand one it is, lined with the magnificent palazzi of Palladio and his students (and their students who, centuries later, were still influenced by the mastery of Palladio's work), today converted into cafes, swank shops, and imposing banks. The first one of note, starting from its southwest cap near the Piazza Castello, is the Palazzo Valmarana at no. 16, begun by Palladio in 1566. On the right (behind which stands the Piazza dei Signori and the Basilica Palladiana) is the Palazzo del Comunale, the Town Hall built in 1592 by Scamozzi (1552-1616), a native of Vicenza and Palladio's protégé and star pupil. This is said to be Scamozzi's greatest work.

From the Corso Palladio and heading northeast, take a left onto the Contrà Porti, the second most important street for its Palladian and Gothic palazzi. The two designed by Palladio are the Palazzo Barbarano Porto at no. 11, and (opposite) Palazzo Thiene at no.12 (now the headquarters of a bank); Gothic palazzi of particular note can be found at nos. 6 to 10, 14, 16, 17, and 19. Parallel, on Corso Fogazzaro, look for no. 16, Palazzo Valmarana, perhaps the most eccentric of Palladio's works.

Returning to Corso Palladio, look for no. 145/147, the pre-Palladian Ca d'Oro (Golden Palace), named for the gold leaf used in the frescoes that once covered its facade. It was bombed in 1944 and rebuilt in 1950. The simple 16th-century palazzo at no. 163 was Palladio's home.

Before reaching the Piazza Matteotti and the end of the Corso Palladio, you'll see signs for the Church of Santa Corona, set back on the left on the Via Santa Corona 2 (open daily 8:30am-noon and 2:30-6pm). An unremarkable 13th-century Gothic church, it shelters two masterpieces (and Vicenza's most important church paintings) that make this worth a visit: Giovanni Bellini's Baptism of Christ (5th altar on left) and Veronese's Adoration of the Magi (3rd chapel on right). This is Vicenza's most interesting church, far more so than the cavernous Duomo southwest of the Piazza dei Signori, but worth seeking out only if you've got the extra time. At the end of the Corso Palladio at its northeastern end is Palladio's world-renowned Teatro Olimpico and, across the street, the Museo Civico in the Palazzo Chiericati.

Villas & A Basilica Nearby

To reach the two important villas in the immediate environs of Vicenza, southeast of the train station, you can walk, bike, or take the no. 8 bus. First stop by the tourist office for a map, and check on visiting hours, which tend to change from year to year. The following two villas are generally open from mid-March to early November.

The Villa Rotonda (tel. [phone]; fax [phone]), alternatively referred to as Villa Capra Valmarana after its owners, is considered one of the most perfect buildings ever constructed and has been added to the World Heritage List by UNESCO; it is a particularly important must-do excursion for students and lovers of architecture. Most authorities refer to it as Palladio's finest work. Obviously inspired by ancient Greek and Roman designs, Palladio began this perfectly proportioned square building topped by a dome in 1567; it was completed between 1580 and 1592 by Scamozzi after Palladio's death. It is worth a visit if only to view it from the outside (in fact, you can really see much of it from the gate). Admission to enter the grounds for outside viewing is 3€ ($3.45); admission to visit the lavishly decorated interior is 6€ ($7). The grounds are open March 15 to November 4, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to noon and 3 to 6pm, the interior only Wednesday and Saturday during the same hours.

From here it is only a 10-minute walk to the Villa Valmarana (tel. [phone]), also called ai Nani (dwarves) after the statues that line the garden wall. Built in the 17th century by Mattoni, an admirer and follower of Palladio, it is an almost commonplace structure whose reason to visit is an interior covered with remarkable 18th-century frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo and his son Giandomenico. Admission is 5€ ($6), 7€ ($8) if you want to visit outside regular hours, which are complicated. It's open mornings as follows: March 15 to November 5, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 10am to noon. It's open afternoons Tuesday to Sunday, as follows: March 15 through April, 2:30 to 5:30pm; May through September, 3 to 6pm; and October to November 5, 2 to 5pm.

Also in this area is the Santuario di Monte Berico (tel. [phone]), built in 1668 by a Bolognese architect. If you've already visited the Villa Rotonda, you will understand where the architect got his inspiration. The interior's most important work is in a chapel to the right of the main altar, Lamentation by Bortolomeo Montagna (1500), founder of the local school of painting and one of the Veneto's most famous artists. The terrace in front of the church affords beautiful views of Vicenza, the Monti Berici, and the distinct outline of the nearby Alps. The basilica is open in summer months Monday to Saturday from 6am to 12:30pm and 2:30 to 7:30pm, Sunday 6am to 8pm; closes earlier in winter months; free admission.

Touring the Villas--In addition to visiting the two villas located in the immediate outskirts of Vicenza, a tour of the dozens of country ville venete farther afield is the most compelling outing from Vicenza. Check at the tourist office for availability of organized tours, something that has been on-again (and more frequently), off-again for the last few years. You most probably will have to do it yourself (this means having access to wheels). Many of the villas are still privately owned and inhabited, and each has its own hours and restrictions (not all the villas can be visited; others permit only visits to the grounds but not the interiors, and so forth). The tourist office can help you plan your trip around these restrictions, and it also has maps and a host of varied itineraries outlining the most important villas (not all of which are 16th-century Palladian designs), many of which are UNESCO-protected sites. Public transportation for these visits is close to nonexistent. If you do have access to a car, ask about the summer concert series in June and July, Concerti in Villa, which has drawn some first-class talent in the classical-music world.

Answer 2

Vicenza  and neighborough zone is famous for Mansions (Villas) created by 16th century architect Palladius. His style was model for american georgian style.

Historical downtown is small and you can visit it on foot easily .

Venice  is only 40' train trip far from Vicenza(don't use car; parks in Venice are much expensive): Venice central station is Venezia S.L. (Santa Lucia); don't get off in Venezia-Mestre (the stop just before SL)

Padua (it. Padova) is halfway from Venice and Vicenza (10-15' train trip). There are a beatiful Saint Antonio's Basilical Church and a shrine ("Cappella degli Scrovegni") with pictures of one between most important medieval artist, Giotto (the same Giotto of Florence BellTower).

Verona also, the Juliet and Romeo town is near to Vicenza (Vicenza is between Padua and Verona).

(Milano)>Verona>Vicenza>Padua>Venice

Answer 3

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