Situated between Milan and Venice, the cosmopolitan city of Vicenza can sometimes be overlooked in favor of its more popular neighbors. A center for art in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, Vicenza is rife with elegant piazzas, villas, churches, museums, and art galleries. The Palladian Villas, established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, are arguably the city’s most famous inhabitants. Aside from its evident cultural importance, Vicenza is also Italy’s third largest industrial center making it one of the country’s wealthiest cities. It has established textile, steel, and computer engineering industries with the microprocessor’s co-founder Federico Faggin coming from Vicenza.
The city used to be called Vicetia or Vincentia, a name given by the Romans which means “victorious”. Before eventually becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, the city came under the rule of Venice, Napoleon, and the Austrian Empire. Vicenza’s area became a major combat site during World War One, and after the second World War the city was the most heavily damaged by Allied bombings in the Veneto region. Staying true to its name, Vicenza rose victorious and rebuilt itself from the rubble. As of 2014, the city has a population of around 113,627.
Italy has a rich culture that is not limited to Rome, Venice, and Milan. This gem of a city is one to visit if you want to delve deeper into Italy’s aristocratic culture outside the major cities. Teeming with elegance and sophistication, the city of Vicenza is truly victorious in more ways than one.
1. Watch performances at the Teatro Olimpico
Built in 1589 to imitate Roman amphitheaters, this elliptical theater still holds some musical and theatrical performances despite its age. Teatro Olimpico was designed by renowned architect Andrea Palladio, who died before its completion. Established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, it is one of the only remaining Renaissance theaters in the world.
To avoid damage, the theater can only accommodate around 400 people. It also becomes the venue for the Vicenza Jazz Festival in spring and the Season of Classical Performances in autumn.
Teatro Olimpico
Address: Teatro Olimpico, Piazza Matteotti 11, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 9 am to 5 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entrance fee: 13.22 USD (11 EUR). Discounts are available
Contact: +39 0444320854 / 964380, iat@comune.vicenza.it
Website: Teatro Olimpico
2. Visit the amazing Villa Capra
Also known as La Rotonda, this magnificent villa has been visited by artists, poets, statesmen, and many other wonder-seeking travelers. Designed by the city’s famous architect Andrea Palladio, the villa obtained the name “Capra” after the Capra brothers who completed it in 1592. It was originally commissioned by Paolo Almerico, a Vicenzan priest who retired from the Vatican. Part of the Palladian Villas which obtained UNESCO World Heritage Site status, Villa Capra houses elaborate trompe l'œil frescoes and has even inspired the design of many buildings including the home of former American president Thomas Jefferson.
There is a bus from the city’s train station that takes visitors to Villa Capra. Visitors can also choose from a tour of both the interior and garden or just the exterior of the villa.
Villa Capra
Address: Via della Rotonda 45, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 10 am to 12 pm & 3 pm to 6 pm (March 14 to November 4, Tuesday to Sunday), 10 am to 12 pm & 2:30 pm to 5 pm (November to March, Tuesday to Sunday). Interior visits are only allowed on Wednesday and Saturday
Entrance fee: 12.03 USD (10 EUR), 6.02 USD (5 EUR) for exterior visits only
Contact: +39 0498791380 (fax), info@villalarotonda.it
Website: Villa Rotonda
3. View exhibitions at the Basilica Palladiana
Another one of Andrea Palladio’s masterpieces is this 15th-century palazzo which once housed law courts and the Council of Four Hundred. One of its most striking features is a copper dome which looks like the hull of an upturned ship. Its porticoes and loggias underwent constant reconstruction until its completion in 1614.
The basilica contains three rooms reserved for exhibitions. It is also the location of the Museo del Gioiello, which contains a collection of historic jewelry.
Basilica Palladiana
Address: Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 12:00 am
Entrance fee: 2.39 USD (2 EUR)
Website: Museo Civizi Vicenza
Museo del Gioiello
Address: Basilica Palladiana, Piazza Dei Signori, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 3 pm to 7 pm (Tuesday to Friday), 11 am to 7 pm (Weekends)
Entrance fee: 7.18 USD (6 EUR), 4.79 USD (4 EUR) - reduced ticket
Contact: +39 0444320799, info@museodelgioiello.it
Website: Museo del Gioiello
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4. View art at the Palazzo Leoni Montanari
This palace from the late Baroque period is a must-see for art enthusiasts. Aside from a vast collection of ancient pottery, it also contains a collection of 400 Russian icons, numerous paintings, and even elaborate depictions carved into marble.
Palazzo Leoni Montanari
Address: Contrà di Santa Corona 25, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 7:30 pm (Tuesday to Sunday), 9:30 am to 10:30 pm (Thursday)
Entrance fee: 11.95 USD (10 EUR), 9.56 USD (8 EUR) - reduced
Website: Gallerie d'Italia
5. Learn about the city's architectural history at the Palladio Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Dedicated to the life and work of Andrea Palladio, this modern museum showcases all that you need to know about the brilliant Vicenzan architect. It contains various historical artifacts including Palladio’s 16th-century Quattro Libri dell'Architettura (Four Books of Architecture). Decked in frescoes, the museum also has architectural models of Palladio’s famed palazzi and villas.
Palladio Museum
Address: Contrà Porti 11, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entrance fee: 9.56 USD (8 EUR), 7.17 USD (6 EUR) - reduced
Contact: +39 0444323014, +39 0444322869 (fax)
Website: Palladio Museum
6. Stroll around Corso Andrea Palladio
Lined with many Renaissance-era palaces and mansions, walking through Vicenza’s main street feels like a dream. Aside from architectural masterpieces, visitors will pass by a variety of restaurants and shops perfect for a gastro-tour of the historic city.
Corso Andrea Palladio
Address: Corso Andrea Palladio, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
7. Admire history at the Chiesa di Santa Corona
This Gothic church built in 1251 houses a variety of paintings and frescoes dating back to the early 15th-century. Truly a historic as well as architectural marvel, it unsurprisingly has something to do with Vicenza’s famous architect. The church, aside from containing the Palladio-designed Valmarana chapel from 1576, is also the final resting place of Andrea Palladio.
Although the church is open for tours, visits are suspended during religious services. The tours provide visitors with a free digital guide accessible via smartphones and tablets.
Chiesa di Santa Corona
Address: Contrà Santa Corona 2, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 9 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 6 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entrance fee: None
Website: Città di Vicenza
8. Visit the Palazzo Chiericati
It shouldn’t be surprising that Vicenza has a wealth of palaces that contain vital pieces of history. This Renaissance-era palace, designed by Andrea Palladio in 1550, was only completed at the end of the 17th-century. It was restored and opened as a museum during the 19th-century.
Visitors are treated to a plethora of paintings, frescoes, sculptures, and other pieces of art dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries.
Palazzo Chiericati
Address: Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, 37/39, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Entrance fee: Visitors can get a Museum Card (from 11.95 USD or 10 EUR) which allows visits to the Palazzo as well as other museums
Contact: +39 0444222811
Website: Musei Civici Vicenza
9. Tour the romantic Villa Valmarana ai Nani
This stunning fairy tale-like villa is both a place you can visit and stay in. Built in 1669, the villa contains 17 stone sculptures of dwarves as well as frescoes depicting scenes from famous Greek and Italian literature. The palace is divided into three parts: the Palazzina (Owners’ Residence), the Foresteria (Guesthouse) and the Scuderia (Stables). There is also a cafe and footpath that leads to La Rotonda, Vicenza’s most famous villa. The gardens and formal reception rooms are open to the public, and sometimes weddings are also held in the estate.
Villa Valmarana (Ai Nani)
Address: Via dei Nani 8, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm (March 3 to November 5), 10 am to 4 pm (November 6 to March 2)
Entrance fee: 11.95 USD (10 EUR). Discounts are available
Contact: +39 0444321803, info@villavalmarana.com
Website: Villa Valmarana ai Nani
10. Discover the hidden wonders of the Roman Criptoportico
Vicenza has a lot of wonders not limited to the world above. Discovered in 1954, this first century Roman criptoportico is known as the only private criptoportico in northern Italy that has been unearthed so far. It is located six meters (19.68 feet) below ground and contains a three-sided passageway, terracotta flooring, and a medieval well. It also has a heavy door which archaeologists believe once guarded valuable items.
Roman Criptoportico
Address: Piazza del Duomo 6, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 3 pm to 5 pm (Saturday), 10 am to 12 pm (Sunday)
Entrance fee: None
11. See the wondrous Chiesa di San Lorenzo
Truly a sight to behold, this Gothic church was built by the Franciscans during the 13th-century. Aside from a stunning marble portal, the church also contains fountains, tombs, and a fresco.
Chiesa di San Lorenzo
Address: Piazza San Lorenzo 6, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 7 am to 12 pm, 3:30 pm to 7 pm
Entrance fee: None
12. Check out the historic Vicenza Cathedral
Mostly known for its distinct pink hue and its cupola inspired by the Pantheon, this cathedral was designed by Lorenzo di Bologna during the late 15th-century. By the mid 16th-century, Andrea Palladio added finishing touches to the incomplete building. Heavily bombed during World War Two, the cathedral underwent a near-complete reconstruction with its facade being the only surviving part of the original cathedral. Inside, the cathedral contains a 14th-century triptych by Lorenzo Veneziano.
Vicenza Cathedral
Address: Piazza del Duomo, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 8 pm
Entrance fee: None
13. Watch the world go by at the Piazza dei Signori
The center of activity in Vicenza, a walk around the piazza feels like stepping back into the past. Lined with palaces, churches and mansions, the piazza provides a window not only to the past but also to the daily life of Vincenza’s residents. Aside from architectural masterpieces, there are also a lot of dining and shopping establishments in the area.
Piazza dei Signori
Address: Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: All day
Entrance fee: None
Website: Piazza dei Signori
14. Pass by the Palazzo Valmarana Braga Rosa
Although it has suffered much damage from Allied bombings during World War Two, this patrician palace still has its original facade intact. This elegant marvel of architecture was designed by Andrea Palladio during the 1560s for a noblewoman named Isabella Nogarola Valmarana. Aside from its original decor, the palace also contains some Valmarana family heirlooms.
Palazzo Valmarana Braga Rosa
Address: Corso Antonio Fogazzaro 16, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: 10 am to 1 pm (Monday to Friday)
Entrance fee: 8.36 USD (7 EUR). Discounts are available
Contact: +39 3477204658, info@palazzovalmaranabraga.it
Website: Palazzo Valmarana Braga Rosa
15. Take a peek of the Palazzo del Capitaniato
Because the town council holds their meetings here, this palace is not entirely open to the public. Built during the 16th-century, it was designed by Andrea Palladio and decorated by Lorenzo Rubini. Its interiors are decked with elaborate frescoes by Giovanni Antonio Fasolo, a renowned artist whose work has become a staple in Palladio’s creations. As with other Palladian buildings, the palace was highly inspired by classic Roman architecture.
Palazzo del Capitaniato (Loggia del Capitaniato)
Address: Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza, Italy
Opening hours: Not open to the public
Step back into the past
Words and pictures are not enough to capture the beauty of Vicenza. As you stroll around its historic streets, you can feel the past living through its richly decorated buildings. Truly a gem of Italy, this city is a beautiful and vital piece of history worth preserving for future generations.
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