Have you visited Vicenza? If not, you are missing out a lot!
The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are a must-see for history and architecture lovers! I visited Vicenza on my recent trip to the Veneto region. And here’s my guide to the best things to do in Vicenza Italy!
Beautiful Vicenza was founded in the 2nd century BC but bloomed in prosperity from the 15th to 18th century under the rule of the mighty medieval Republic of Venice. Vicenza is only 1 hour from Venice and 25 minutes from Padua. It is well-connected with both cities with fast-speed trains and buses. Because of its well-known beauty and proximity to Venice and Padua, I decided to visit Vicenza on my recent trip to the Veneto region. The stories about the beauty of Vicenza became my reality the minute I put my foot on Vicenza ground.
Here is my guide to the best things to do in Vicenza, Italy, a city of exceptional beauty.
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Plan your visit to Vicenza Italy
– Plan to stay 1 day or 2 days in Vincenza
– I recommend staying in the Relais Santa Corona Hotel in the historic center of Vicenza. The hotel is in proximity to all Vicenza tourist attractions. It has private parking, in case you are on a road trip.
– Get your Vicenza City Card in the Tourist office in Piazza Matteotti 12, next to the Teatro Olimpico. The Vicenza City card is valid for 8 days and gives access to the 11 sites in the city.
– Buy your entrance ticket to Villa Valmarana ai Nani in Vicenza. Entrance to the Villa is not included in the Vicenza City Card! Villa Valmarana is a must-see in Vicenza.
Contents
- 21 Best things to do in Vicenza Italy
- Piazza dei Signori
- Basilica Palladiana
- Torre Bissara
- Palazzo del Capitaniato
- Two pillars on the square
- Andrea Palladio statue
- Corso Palladio
- The Church of Santa Corona
- Luigi da Porto’s house
- Palladio Museum
- Teatro Olimpico
- Palazzo Chiericati
- Vicenza cathedral
- Villa La Rotonda
- Villa Valmarana ai Nani
- The Sanctuary of Monte Berico
- Panoramic terrace of Monte Berico
- Portico of Monte Berico
- Arch of the Little Stairs
- Baccala alla Vicentina
- Sopressa Vicentina
21 Best things to do in Vicenza Italy
Vicenza is a picturesque city in the base of Monte Berico with two rivers (Retrone River and Bacchiglione River) flowing through.
Vicenza is one of the most beautiful cities in northern Italy. Alleys, bridges, squares, parks, churches, villas, and palaces fill the city.
Vicenza is a UNESCO World Heritage City in Italy.
The late Andrea Palladio is the most famous citizen of Vicenza. He is a 16th-century renowned architect whose distinctive architectural style became influential worldwide. Vicenza was his playground. The city is popularly known as the City of Palladio.
UNESCO declared Vicenza and the 23 Palladio villas in and around Vicenza a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Palladio’s elegant and symmetrical architectural style, called the Palladian style, influenced the architecture of Europe and the USA. Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the USA and a trained architect, was among many admirers of the Palladian style.
Vicenza boosts with Palladian architecture and Venetian Gothic architecture.
First, let’s go to the heart of Vicenza – Piazza dei Signori, the main square in Vicenza.
Piazza dei Signori
I started my visit to Vicenza with Piazza dei Signori after I bought a Vicenza City Card that gives access to the 11 sites in Vicenza and is valid for 8 days. I recommend buying it and then start sightseeing Vicenza from the main square.
The main square in Vicenza was the Roman Forum once and was the center of the political, social, and commercial life of ancient Vicenza.
Piazza dei Signori is Vicenza’s central square that houses some of the most beautiful buildings in Vicenza. The square got its name after the residences of distinguished representatives of the Venice Republic. Basilica Palladiana (one of the most famous works of Andrea Palladio), Torre Bissara (a tower), Palazzo del Capitaniato, Palazzo del Monte di Pieta, San Vincenzo church and two colossal columns holding the statues of St Marcs Lion and Redentore (Christ the Redeemer) are on the square.
Basilica Palladiana
Basilica Palladiana is also called Palazzo della Ragione. Basilica Palladiana is a landmark of Vicenza.
It is a Renaissance palace and a famous building by Andrea Palladio. Basilica Palladiana is the first work he got commissioned for. The building was a city hall in the 15th century. Andrea Palladio gave new Renaissance features to the original Gothic building in the 16th century. The most characteristic features of the palace are symmetrical loggias and windows (later known as Palladian windows). Despite its name, Basilica Palladiana is not a basilica (church). Andrea Palladio called the building the basilica.
Today, Basilica Palladina houses historic shops(selling jewelry, watches, and glasses) and some of the most famous bars in Vicenza (Il Grottino and Bar Borsa) on the ground floor. The Jewelry Museum is on its first floor. In addition, a top part of the basilica is the rooftop terrace with amazing views of the square.
The entrance ticket to Basilica Palladina is 5 €. The City Card (20€ ) I bought in the Vicenza Tourist Office (next to the Olympic Theatre) included the Basilica Palladiana.
Torre Bissara
Torre Bissara is an 86-m-high clock tower next to Basilica Palladina. The 12th-century tower got its name after the family of Bissara, who commissioned its construction. The tower had several remakes over the centuries.
Its facade showing the three crucial periods in the history of the city (Roman, Venetian, and WWW II) is the most arresting. The statute of goddess Athena on its top depicts the Roman era of Vicenza, the white marble bas-relief of St Marc’s Lion in the middle of the tower depicts the Venetian period of Vicenza, and the triumphal arch in its base portrays the scenes of the war period of Vicenza.
Palazzo del Capitaniato
Palazzo del Capitaniato, also called Loggia del Capitaniato, is an elegant building opposite Basilica Palladina in the Piazza dei Signori.
It is another famous building by Andrea Palladio. He remade the original medieval building and made a stunning palace. The red facade, grand loggias, colossal semi-columns, and big arches are the most eye-catching parts of the palace. Today, the building is home to the city hall of Vicenza. The palace is also a part of the UNESCO’s protected sites of the City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto.
Two pillars on the square
Pay attention to two colossal pillars on Vicenza’s main square. They are a symbol of Vicenza.
A statue of the winged lion of St. Mark stands on the top of one pillar while a statue of the Redentore (Jesus Redeemer) tops the other pillar.
The first pillar was erected in 1473 after Vicenza got under the rule of the Venice Republic in 1404.
The latter pillar was erected in 1640 as a sign of dedication of the city and the citizens to Christ.
Andrea Palladio statue
Andrea Palladio is the most famous citizen of Vicenza. Vicenza is called the City of Andrea Palladio.
Vincenzo Gajassi made a statue of Palladio in 1859. A white marble statue of Andrea Palladio stands next to the Basilica Palladiana in Piazza del Signori today.
Corso Palladio
Corso Palladio is the main street and the heartbeat of Vicenza.
It is a 700 m-long street that stretches from the Torrione (medieval tower) to Tetaro Olimpico. It goes through the center of the old city of Vicenza. Historical palaces, shops, restaurants, and bars are along the street.
Strolling Coso Palladio, the city’s heartbeat, is among the best things to do in Vicenza, Italy. You will most likely stroll it several times on your visit.
The Church of Santa Corona
The church of Santa Corona is one of the most important churches in Vicenza. This church is home to a Jesus’ crown thorn. Besides that, the church has stunning frescoes and paintings, like Giovanni Bellini’s Baptism of Christ and Veronese’s Adoration of the Magi. And Andrea Palladio made its Valmarana Chapel. In addition, the tomb of Luigi da Porto is in the church. But who is Luigi da Porto?
PS. Vicenza City Card includes a visit to the Church of Santa Corona.
Luigi da Porto’s house
Luigi da Porto is the original author of Romeo and Juliet. What? Yes, you read it correctly. Didn’t William Shakespeare write Romeo and Juliet? Well, he adopted the existing novel for a theater play. Luigi da Porto from Vicenza is the author of the original novel.
Luigi da Porto was a nobleman and a soldier from Vicenza. He wrote a love story about Romeo Capuletti and Giueltte Montecchi during his retirement after getting wounded in a war. He looked at the Castle of Villa and the Castle of Vellaguardia near Montecchio Maggiore town from his villa in Vicenza countryside. The sight and a local love legend inspired him to write the love story about Romeo and Giuliette, set in Verona around 1515. The novel was published in Venice in 1531. Later, William Shakespeare adopted the story for theater and published it in London in 1597.
The house where Luigi da Porto lived and passed away is on Contra Porti Street at No 15-17 in Vicenza. His tomb is in the church of Santa Corona in Vicenza.
Luigi da Porto’s house is only a few steps from Palladio Museum in Vicenza.
Palladio Museum
Palladio Museum in Vicenza is a pilgrimage place for architects.
The museum is inside the 16th-century Palazzo Barbaran. Andrea Palladio designed the Barbaran Palace, of course. Palladio Museum has an extensive collection of scale models of Palladian villas, drawings, scatches, books, etc. Palladio Museum is a must-see in Vicenza for architecture devotees. Vicenza City Card includes a visit to the Palladio Museum.
Teatro Olimpico
Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza is the world’s oldest indoor theatre and another famous work by Andrea Palladio.
It is an elegant Rennesaince blind from the 16th century. Palladio made the project for the building, but he passed away shortly after the start of the construction works. Vicenzo Camozzi contuined the work of Palladio on the theatre.
Ancient Roman theatres inspired Palladio’s Tetro Olimpico. Palladio repurposed the existing building (previously a fortress, a prison, and a firearm warehouse) and made it one of the most iconic places in Vicenza.
Vicenza’s Teatro Olimpico has a stucco-made elliptical auditorium, walls filled with beautiful frescoes, and the world’s oldest 3D-stage set. The breathtaking stage set is the highlight of the theatre. Vicenzo Camozzi made the stage for the Sophocle’s Oedipus Rex. The stage shows the fictional streets of Thebes. The stage hasn’t been removed since it was set in the 16th century. And you can see it today!
Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza has a beautiful garden with benches to sit on and stunning statues. It is a gorgeous place in Vicenza for a short break when sightseeing Vicenza.
Teatro Olimpico is one of the highlights of Vicenza. Touring Teatro Olympic is among the most amazing things to do in Vicenza! Vicenza City Card covers a visit to Teatro Olimpico in Vicenza.
Palazzo Chiericati
Palazzo Chiericati houses today’s Civic Art Gallery in Vicenza. Andrea Palladio designed this palace, too.
Its facade has two levels of columns and elegant statues on its roof. The Gallery has a world-renowned art collection from medieval to modern times. The collection counts more than 35,000 art pieces. The most notable works are by Tintoretto, Veronese, and Tiepoplo. Palazzo Chiericati is a must-see place in Vicenza for art lovers. I enjoyed every minute of my visit to Palazzo Chiericati. Its art collection is fabulous!
The gallery is a 2-minute walk from Teatro Olimpico. A visit is included in the Vicenza City Card.
Vicenza cathedral
The Cathedral of Vicenza is consecrated to the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary. The official name of the cathedral is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunciata.
The cathedral was built on the site of an early Christian church. The cathedral had many architectural interventions afterward. But, its greater part, as we see it today, dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries.
Its most impressive parts are a beautiful 16th-century Gothic facade and a north-side portal with a dome made by Palladio. The Cathedral also has many valuable Renessaice works. The most notable are Lorenzo Veneziano’s Polyptych with the Dormition of the Virgin Mary and Franceso Maffei’s The Adoration of the Magi.
The Cathedral of Vicenza is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a part of the UNESCO-protected City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. Vicenza Cathedral is also an Italian national monument.
The Cathedral of Vicenza is only 250 m from the Basilica Palladina and Piazza dei Signori.
Villa La Rotonda
Villa La Rotonda is the most famous work by Andrea Palladio. The villa is also called Villa Capra after the Capra family who owned it and whose country residence was. Today, the Valmara family owns the villa.
La Rotonda is a 16th-century elegant villa shaped like a cube with a cupola roof, four identical porches, and a beautiful garden.
Rome’s Pantheon inspired Palladio for the design of the villa. Villa la Rotonda in Vicenza is one of the most imitated buildings in the world of architecture ever. The White House in Washington and Monticello (the only house in the USA that UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site) are some of the best-known replicas.
The Rotunda is on the UNESCO World Heritage List of protected Palladian Villas of the Veneto. Villa La Rotonda from inside boosts with gorgeous frescoes, mainly depicting religious motifs. Thus, the villa has an atmosphere of a cathedral.
Many famous figures visited the villa, like Goethe, who visited Villa La Rotonda on his Grand Tour and fell in love with the villa.
The villa is on the slopes of the Monte Berico on the outskirts of Vicenza. It is a 30-minute walk from the main square of Vicenza.
The villa is open to the public only on certain days of the week.
Villa La Rotonda is open to the public from 10 am to 12 pm and from 3 pm-6 pm on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is closed to visitors on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Villa Valmarana ai Nani
Villa Valmarana ai Nani is another masterpiece example of the most beautiful villas by Andrea Palladio. Villa Valmarana ai Nani has three buildings: the Palazzina (Owners Residence), the Foresterai (Guest-House), and the Scuderia (Stables).
Besides its architecture, Villa Valmarana ai Nani is known for the masterpiece frescoes by the father and son Tiepolo.
Statues of dwarfs are on the outside walls of the villa. The story of Princess Layana inspired the creation of these decorative dwarf statues.
Villa Valmarana ai Nani is close to Villa Rotonda. It is only 500 m from Villa Rotonda. You can get the entrance ticket there.
The Sanctuary of Monte Berico
The Sanctuary of Monte Berico is a famous Marian apparition site and a pilgrimage site in Vicenza. The official name of the sanctuary is the Basilica of St Mary of Monte Berico (or Basilica di Santa Maria di Monte Berico in Italian).
The Sanctuary was built on the apparition site of the Virgin Mary during a plague in the Vicenza and Veneto region in the 16th century. The Virgin Mary appeared twice to a peasant woman called Vincenza Pasini and promised her to free the city from the plague if people built a church consecrated to her. The church was made shortly after, and the plague miraculously ceased, while Nicolo da Venezia made the statue of Madonna, which stands behind the altar. Since then, the Madonna of Monte Berico has been the patron of Vicenza. Millions of pilgrims visit the Sanctuary each year.
The Basilica of St Mary of Monte Berico is the most beautiful church in Vicenza. I have to admit., I was so surprised by the beauty of its interior. The church has many artworks, like The Supper of St Gregory by Paolo Veronese, Virgin with Four Evangelists by Alessandro Maganza, and Pieta by Bartolomeo Montagna.
Panoramic terrace of Monte Berico
There is a big panoramic terrace with a parking lot in the Piazzala della Vittoria square in front of the Sanctuary. This terrace overlooks Vicenza.
Undeniably, the best views of Vicenza are from the terrace. Check them out!
Portico of Monte Berico
Monte Berico portico is a long-covered walkway dedicated to the Virgin Mary that leads to the Sanctuary of Monte Berico. The arcades of Mount Berico have 150 arches, which represent 150 grains of the Rosary. An individual Mystery of Rosary is after every 10th arch. Francesco Muttoni designed this 700m-long walkway in the 18th century.
The Portico is one path to the Sanctuary. La Scallete path is the other path to the Sanctuary.
Arch of the Little Stairs
Arch of the Little Stairs, or Arco delle Scallete in Italian, is the famous arch in the southeastern part of the historic center of Vicenza.
Andrea Palladio designed the Arch of the Littel Stairs in the 16th century. The famous La Scallete path route to the Sanctuary of St Mary of Monte Berico starts with the Arch. La Scalette stairs are 192 steps that connect the historic center of Vicenza with the Sanctuary.
The Arch of the Little Stairs is on the UNESCO World Heritage List of the City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto.
Baccala alla Vicentina
If you follow my blog, you know how much I appreciate tasting authentic local dishes on my travels. So, I put tasting the famous Baccala alla Vicentina dish on my Vicenza bucket list.
Baccala alla Vicentina is an iconic dish from Vicenza. Baccala alla Vicentina is a traditional dish of Vicenza made with stockfish (soaked cod for about 3 days and dried overnight) and a sauce of oil, garlic, onion, milk, herbs, and anchovies. The dish is served warm with polenta.
The Vicenza-style cod dates back to the 15th century when Venetian sailors brought dried cod from the Norwegian Loften islands, Norway, to Vicenza. Baccala alla Vicentina is the most famous dish of Vicenza and a popular traditional dish in the Veneto region. It is a must-try in Vicenza!
Sopressa Vicentina
Sopressa Vicentina is a typical salume (salted meat) of Vicenza. The dish is made with pork, lard, salt, pepper, garlic, and spices. It is also a staple of the Veneto region. Sopressa Vicentina is a great gift to bring back home from your visit to Vicenza if you have gourmand family members as I do.
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