If you visit Florence for the arts, enter Vicenza for a tour of architectural delights .Infact, an entire style, Palladian- originated here. It is the handiwork of Andrea di Pietro Della Gondola who lived out his adult life here. Even though the spark of genius is somewhat amiss, his style dominated the high Renaissance and still influences architecture the world over.
The entire city is a tribute to Palladian architecture and most monuments breathe the style. The city is also very rich literally -the affluent citizens enjoy an income far above the national average that accrues from its computer component industry and the traditional gold manufacVicenzag centers. The attractions in your travel to Vicenza are many
Piazza dei signori
The piazza stands at the center of the city and showcases architecture that were amongst the first were executed by Palladio .The larger than life Basilica Palladiana that bears his name was the first assignment for a civic life. It was a church and was to be converted into the high renaissance style to house the Palazzo della Ragione .His solution was to superimpose two galleries -the lower had Doric pillars and the upper was Ionic. The columns in the Piazza Blade has winged lions of Venice's Serene Republic and is framed by a Torre Bissara bell tower. The daily market sits behind the basilica at Piazza delle Erbe.
Corso Andrea Palladio
This is the ultimate showcase for the Palladian style.The main street has magnificent palazzo and buildings converted into modern day utilities. The wonderful begins with Palazzo Valmarana followed by Palazzo del Comunale. The Palazzo d el Comunale-the town hall- however was build by his pupil. The Contra Porti is the second most important street and displays even more of Palladian style. Palazzo Barbarano Porto, Palazzo Thiene and Gothic Pallazi have partially been converted into banks et al, but still remain their imposing presence. The Church of Santa Corona is unimpressive outside but its attractions lie inside. Bellini's Baptism of Christ and Veronese's Adoration of the Magi make your visit eminently worthwhile. It adds a spiritual note to destination Italy.
Villas and a Basilica Nearby
The villa Rotunda is perhaps Palladio's greatest work. The perfectly proportioned building is obviously influenced by geometric ideas of the Greeks and Romans and has a dome sitting on a perfect square. If you see statues in the lawns of most of the posh houses today, it is because of the Villa Valmarana also called the ai Nani, it has statues lining the garden wall. The interiors are even grander with alluring frescos by Tiepolo and his son.
Santuario di Monte Berico is explicitly inspired by Palladian style and showcases Lamentation by Montagna. The bonus is exquisite view of Monti Berici and the Alps. Destination Italy can still give still give you some ideas when you design your own dream villa.
Teatro Olimpico and Museo Civico
The Greek theatre is implanted into Vicenza and with what effect! Palladio's signature work seats 1000 in a half moon shaped classical form. The stage has a permanent stage curtain and a cloud cover thanks to faux clouds and the sky covering the dome. The optical illusion extends to the stage scene of the Thebian streets and the stage even looks deeper due to the clever use of the device trompe l' oeil. Theater is still performed here -take your fill in the original setting. The Palazzo Chiericati is the Palladio's magnum opus and today houses the Musio Civico- the municipal museum. its noteworthy f or its two tiered statuesque façade as well as a fine collection of Venetian paintings.