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The beautiful city of Vicenza, located in northern Italy, is culturally and architecturally rich, making it a wonderful place to spend a few days.
Introduction to Vicenza
Vicenza was settled in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BC and was named Vicentia in 157 BC. The locals received Roman citizenship in 49 BC, and the city was known for agriculture, bricks, marble, and wool. After the decline of the Roman Empire, the city was sacked and changed hands several times. Among the rulers were the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Lombards, and Franks.
The Venetians took over in 1404 and ruled until the Fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797. The Austrians ruled from 1814 until Vicenza united with the rest of Italy in 1866. Vicenza was the scene of major battles during both World Wars, suffering greatly from Allied bombings during World War II. It took several years for the economy to bounce back.
Today, thanks to Andrea Palladio (1508-1580), Vicenza is an important city for architecture and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994. The “City of Palladio” is graced with 23 buildings designed by the influential architect.
Getting to Vicenza
The Vicenza Railway Station (Stazione di Vicenza), which opened in 1846, offers direct service to cities such as Venice, Milan, Padua, Turin, Treviso, and Udine. We arrived on a train from Verona, which took about 45 minutes. The city’s bus terminal is attached to the train station. The nearest airport is Marco Polo International Airport (VCE), about 64 kilometers away, in Venice.
Getting Around Vicenza
The Vicenza city center is quite compact and easy to get around on foot. You might even be able to walk to your hotel from the train station. To get to the villas just outside town, you’ll probably want to take a bus or taxi.
Vicenza Civic Museum Cards
The Civic Museums of Vicenza offer a couple combined ticket options to visit attractions in Vicenza. You’ll save a significant amount of cash compared to what you would pay for individual visits.
First, the Vicenza Gold Card costs €22 for adults, €17 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 (as of April 2025). It’s good for 12 days and allows entry to 11 sites, including the Teatro Olimpico, the Civic Museum at Palazzo Chiericati, Natural History and Archaeological Museum, the Church of Santa Corona, Galleries of Palazzo Thiene, the Basilica Palladiana (exhibitions excluded), the Diocesan Museum, Galleries of Italy at Palazzo Leoni Montanari, the Palladio Museum, the Jewelry Museum, and the Museum of the Risorgimento and Resistance.
The Vicenza Silver Card costs €16 for adults, €14 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 (as of April 2025). It’s good for 8 days and allows entry to your choice of 4 of the 11 sites.
Where to Stay in Vicenza
We spent two nights in Vicenza at a hotel just outside the historic city center.
Hotel Campo Marzio
Hotel Campo Marzio is a four-star hotel a short walk from the train station. The location was excellent and the staff was wonderful. We decided to splurge a bit and got a deluxe double room, which was very spacious. It had the most comfortable bed on our entire trip through Italy. The bathroom was big and had a nice tub, but the mood lighting was a little interesting to say the least.
Where to Eat in Vicenza
Vicenza has a good selection of restaurants and a distinct local cuisine. Unfortunately, we only had a couple days in town and couldn’t try all of the places we wanted.
Osteria Veneto’s
Our first lunch was at Osteria Veneto’s. Set in a cellar along Corso Andrea Palladio, Veneto’s offers dishes from the Veneto region. We thought it would be a good introduction to local cuisine.
Our first dish was a calamari salad that we shared. It was a nice start and everything was very fresh. As a main course, I had bigoli with meat sauce while Marisol had barbecued ribs over polenta. Overall, we thought the food was bland and we weren’t completely satisfied.
Bar Borsa
For dinner that night, we ate at Bar Borsa, which is restaurant and bar located at the historic Basilica Palladiana on Piazza dei Signori. We sat outside under a heating lamp and enjoyed the lively atmosphere while having a nice local cocktail.
We started with an appetizer which was good but I can’t remember what it was, and shared a flavorless green soup along with a chicken dish. Other than the soup, we were happy with the meal.
Osteria Vicolo Santa Barbara
Our second lunch was at Osteria Vicolo Santa Barbara, a small family restaurant hidden in an alley near Piazza dei Signori. It was filled with locals so we thought that was a good sign. We ordered the rotini with Italian sausage and fettuccine with porcini mushrooms. They turned out to be two delicious and very reasonably priced pasta dishes.
Al Ritrovo (Permanently Closed)
For our second dinner, we had our favorite meal in Vicenza at Al Ritrovo. It’s located across the street from the Duomo. We had to wait a bit to be seated but it was well worth it.
Every table was full but a spot opened up on a bench near the entrance. We sat down and placed our order. We started with some of the most delicious scallops we’ve ever eaten along with a Greek salad. The salad wasn’t as good as I expected.
My main course was spaghetti with seafood and Marisol had fried seafood and smelt served in a paper bag. We finished it off by sharing a plate of chocolate gelato topped with berries.
Both of our meals were spectacular and service was excellent. I could honestly say it wasn’t just the best meal we had in Vicenza, but one of the best during our entire trip to Italy. Had we stayed another day, we probably would have eaten there again.
Palladian Architecture in Vicenza
Walking through Vicenza is a dream for architecture lovers, and nobody had a bigger influence on the appearance the city than Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). He was an artist of architecture and Vicenza was his canvas. With 23 buildings attributed to him, the Renaissance architect is responsible for making the city a UNESCO World Heritage site. In this post, I’ve highlighted each of his buildings I was able to see in red. I’ve also marked them on the map below with a dark red star. It’s not a complete list of his works in the city – I got to 15 plus a villa outside town.
Aside from Palladio’s buildings, the city is full of spectacular palazzos. On the map below, I’ve marked the ones I admired with a gray flag.
Piazza dei Signori
Piazza dei Signori is the main square in Vicenza and a great place to start exploring the historic city center. It’s rectangular in shape and surrounded by some of the most important buildings in the city. The square originated as a forum and market during the Roman period. The city market is held there every Tuesday and Thursday morning.
Basilica Palladiana
The most impressive building on the square is the Basilica Palladiana, which served as Vicenza’s seat of government. It was originally designed in the Gothic style by Domenico da Venezia and built in the 15th century as the Palazzo della Ragione. Tommaso Formenton added a double order of columns between 1481 and 1494, but the southwest corner collapsed in 1496.
In 1546, Andrea Palladio, then 40 years old, was chosen to reconstruct the building. He added an outer shell of marble and a double loggia, which hides the original Gothic architecture. He also called the building a “basilica” after ancient Roman civic buildings. Work started in April 1549 and wasn’t completed until 1614. It’s considered one of Palladio’s most important works.
The building today is used for exhibitions. Admission (excluding exhibitions) is €6 for adults, €4 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s also the home of the Jewelry Museum (Museo del Gioiello) as well as shops and restaurants. The museum is open daily except Mondays. Admission is €10 for adults, €8 for students aged 12-25, and free for kids under 12 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025).
Bissara Tower
Next to the Basilica Palladiana is the Bissara Tower (Torre Bissara). This clock tower is 82 meters (269 feet) high and dates back to 1174. It was raised to its current height in the mid-15th century, and the relics of saints as well as five bells were placed inside.
On March 18, 1945, the tower was hit by Allied bombs. The top caught on fire and the dome crashed to the ground. It was reconstructed but not to its original form.
From the bottom to the top, the tower features a sculptural group of the Virgin and Child with two saints, a relief of the Lion of St. Mark, a clock, and bells that sound on the hour and half hour. A special melody plays on the ninth hour.
Palazzo del Capitaniato
The Palazzo del Capitaniato sits opposite the Palladian Basilica and is also known as the Captain’s Lodge (Loggia del Capitanio). It was designed by Palladio in 1565 and built between 1571 and 1572. The building served as the official residence of the Venetian Captain, the military leader of the city representing the Republic of Venice. It’s now used by the town council.
Palazzo del Monte di Pietà
The Palazzo del Monte di Pietà is the long building on the north side of Piazza dei Signori. It officially opened on June 12, 1486, as the home of the Mount of Piety (Monte di Pietà), a charity pawnbroker founded to fight usury. The façade is 72 meters long and broken only by the Church of San Vincenzo. The building still houses the Mount of Piety as well as shops, offices, and restaurants.
In the 16th century, Giovanni Battista Zelotti (1526-1578) painted frescoes of biblical scenes on the façade. They had nearly disappeared by the 18th and 19th centuries. Domenico Bruschi (1840-1910) repainted them in 1909, but they’ve almost completely faded away.
The western façade along Contrà del Monte was designed by architect Francesco Muttoni (1669-1747). Angelo Putti created the five sculptures and a relief with the Greek phrase Ψυχῆς ἰατρεῖον (Psychēs iatreion, Hospital of the Soul), which was written on the door of the Library of Alexandria during the Hellenistic period.
Church of San Vincenzo
The Church of San Vincenzo (Chiesa di San Vincenzo) was originally built as a simple structure between 1385 and 1387, and reconstructed between 1470 and 1480. The façade, designed by architects Pietro and Paolo Bonin, was constructed between 1614 and 1617. It features a double loggia each with three arches and is crowned by five statues and a relief of Christ mourned by angels, all by Giovanni Battista Albanese (1573-1630). Between 1703 and 1707, the interior was expanded and a new presbytery was built by Francesco Muttoni.
Columns in Piazza dei Signori
Two columns stand on the east side of Piazza dei Signori. One is topped with the Lion of St. Mark, a reminder of Venetian dominance over Vicenza. The other features a statue of Christ the Redeemer (Il Redentore) erected in 1640.
Piazza dei Signori at Christmas
Piazza dei Signori is a great place to see at Christmas. Lights are strung from the Bissara Tower and there’s a Christmas tree at one end.
Piazza delle Biade
East of Piazza dei Signori is Piazza delle Biade, which dates back to 1262 and was originally the grain market. It’s surrounded by colorful buildings with restaurants and cafés on the ground floor. The Piazza del Vino, which has now disappeared, has been incorporated into the south side of the square. The Municipality of Vicenza – Registry / Heritage Office is on the southwest side.
Church of Santa Maria dei Servi
On the southeast side is the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi (Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi). It was first built between 1407 and 1435 along with the bell tower and a convent. The church was expanded in 1490 and renovated in the 18th century, losing its original Gothic style. The interior has a central nave with aisles on each side. The bell tower was demolished in 1490 and rebuilt in 1541.
Piazza delle Erbe
South of the Palladian Basilica is the peaceful Piazza delle Erbe, which is surrounded by shops and restaurants. It was formerly the city’s fruit and vegetable market.
Girone Tower
In the center is the Girone Tower (Torre del Girone). It was originally built in the 12th century by the Carnaroli family and was surrounded by a moat. The municipality purchased it in the 13th century and used it as a civic archive. From the mid-17th century to the late 19th century, it was used as a prison, gaining it a nickname, the Tower of Torment (Torre del Tormento). The tower is connected to the Basilica Palladiana by an arch, the Arco del Registro, also known as Arco degli Zavatteri.
Piazzetta Palladio
On the southwest corner of the Basilica Palladiana is Piazzetta Palladio. In the center is a statue of Andrea Palladio by Vincenzo Gajassi (1811-1861). It was donated to the city by Francesco Bressan in 1859.
Casa Pigafetta
On Contrà Antonio Pigafetta, a narrow street south of Piazza dei Signori, is Casa Pigafetta, which is currently a private residence. It was built in 1440 for Matteo Pigafetta and designed by Stefano da Ravenna. Antonio Pigafetta (c. 1491-c. 1531), who accompanied Ferdinand Magellan (c. 1480-1521) during the first circumnavigation of the world from 1519 to 1522, was born there. He kept a detailed journal and published a book on his experiences.
The building is in a flowery Gothic style and decorated with twisted columns. The windows on the upper floors are in an Arabesque style and are flanked by reliefs of griffins and other symbols. On the portal is an inscription in French from the Pigafetta coat of arms:
Il n’est rose sans espine (There is no rose without thorns)
Palazzo delle Poste
A short walk east near Piazza Duomo is the Palazzo delle Poste, which is quite disruptive among the elegant Renaissance architecture in the immediate surroundings. This post office building was constructed during the Fascist period between 1930 and 1935 and designed by architect Roberto Narducci (1887-1979). The façade features a statue of Mercury on the right side.
Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, named for the city’s cathedral, is a few steps away. It’s a rectangular space measuring roughly 17,000 square meters that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II
In the center is a monument to Vittorio Emanuele II (1820-1878) inaugurated on November 18, 1880. It was sculpted by Augusto Benvenuti (1839-1899) and depicts the ruler in military dress laying his helmet on a Roman fragment inscribed with SPQR. On the pedestal is another statue representing the City of Vicenza, holding the city’s coat of arms in its right hand and the municipal flag in its left hand.
Duomo of Vicenza
A church has stood on the spot of the Duomo of Vicenza (Duomo di Vicenza), also known as the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Virgin (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata), since the 4th century. The first church was a simple structure with a rectangular apse. In the second half of the 5th century, it was replaced with a larger structure featuring a central nave flanked by aisles. That church was damaged during an earthquake in 1117, and an even larger building took its place.
The current Duomo was built between 1482 and the late 1560s on plans by Lorenzo da Bologna (d. c. 1508). Allied bombings during World War II destroyed the dome and most of the nave. Only the façade survived. Reconstruction started immediately after the war and work lasted until 2002.
Inside the Duomo are several funerary monuments and chapels. Works of art by Alessandro Maganza (1556-1630), Bartolomeo Montagna (c. 1450-1523), Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608), Giulio Romano (c. 1499-1546), and other artists are on display. All of the frescoes were lost to the bombing. Unfortunately, the church was closed when we passed by.
The Gothic façade is attributed to Domenico da Venezia (c. 1520-1575). It’s divided into four sections, with five arches on the lower section and three statues on the upper section. Two pinnacles were added in 1948.
Palladio’s Dome
The apse was still unfinished in 1531 and a temporary roof was added in 1540. In the 1550s, Palladio was called upon to draw new plans for the dome, which were carried out in two phases. The cornice and the drum were built between 1558 and 1559 while the dome was added between 1564 and January 1566. Palladio probably designed the north doorway as well.
Bell Tower of the Duomo of Vicenza
The Romanesque bell tower of the Duomo is detached from the rest of the church. It dates back to the 12th century and has five bells. It was built on a 10th century stone base and stands about 20 meters high.
Roman Cryptoportico
Also on the square is the Roman Cryptoportico (Criptoportico Romano), which was the basement of a house dated to the late 1st century BC. It’s the only surviving example in all of Northern Italy. The cryptoportico sits over 6 meters below ground level and consists of three U-shaped arms 3 meters wide and 2.85 meters high. The central arm measures 29.5 meters and the parallel arms 27.35 meters. The vaulted ceilings contain 27 niches that allowed natural light and air to enter. The cryptoportico was used into the 4th century and was excavated in 1954. Volunteers give free guided tours that last about 20 minutes (as of January 2025). Donations are accepted. Unfortunately, it was closed on the day we visited.
Piazza del Castello
On the west side of the historic city center is Piazza del Castello, which is one of the main squares in Vicenza. It’s surrounded by some interesting buildings
Garibaldi Monument
On the north side of the square is a monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807-1882) sculpted by Ettore Ferrari (1845-1929). It was inaugurated on August 21, 1887.
Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare
Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare is on the northeast side of Piazza del Castello at Corso Palladio. Palladio designed the building in 1572 for Francesco Thiene but never lived to see it built. Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548-1616) oversaw construction sometime after 1586 and it was completed in the first decade of the 17th century. In 1835, the palazzo was acquired by Lelio Bonin Longare. Today, the building is the home of the Vicenza Industrialist Association. It features a double loggia in the courtyard.
Palazzo Porto
On the south end of Piazza del Castello is Palazzo Porto, also known as Palazzo Porto Breganze, was designed by Palladio for Alessandro Porto. Construction began in 1571 and was completed by Vincenzo Scamozzi after Palladio’s death. Only two of the originally planned seven bays were built and it’s unknown why the building was never finished.
Torrione
The Torrione sits atop the Porta Castello, which was the western gate to the historic city center and opens to Piazza del Castello. The tower was built by the Maltraversi family in the 12th century. It was rebuilt by the Scaligeri as part of a fortress in 1343 and was integrated into the city walls. The fortress lost its defensive role in the 17th century and was sold to the Valmarana family. Most of the fortress was demolished in the 18th century save for the Torrione. In the 19th and 20th centuries, a second arch and two pedestrian corridors were added to the Porta Castello to accommodate increased traffic.
The Torrione, which stands 41.6 meters high, was restored in 1999 and again in 2018. It opened to the public on April 3, 2018. Admission is €5 when there’s an exhibition, €4 without an exhibition and for seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 18 (as of April 2025). The tower is open afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays, and the last two Fridays of each month.
Salvi Gardens
Briefly detouring outside Porta del Castello are the Salvi Gardens (Giardini Salvi). They were inaugurated in 1592 by Leonardo Valmarana on land acquired by the Valmarana family along with the fortress in the 16th century. They were open to the public for a short time then closed for the next few centuries.
The 12,000 square meter gardens eventually became property of the Salvi family and were transformed into an English garden in the 19th century. The municipality purchased the gardens on May 25, 1907, and opened them to the public on June 1, 1909. It’s bordered by a moat on the north and east sides, and the center contains a fountain and busts.
The entrance arch was built in 1645 and attributed to architect Baldassare Longhena (1598-1682). It’s based on a larger arch erected by Pier Paolo Battaglia and attributed to Ottavio Bruto Revese (1585-1648). That arch was demolished in 1938 to accommodate the visit of Benito Mussolini.
Loggia Valmarana
Loggia Valmarana is located on the northeast corner of the Salvi Gardens, which is a small loggia with six Doric columns. It was built in 1591, likely by one of Palladio’s students, and based on an original project commissioned by Gian Luigi Valmarana. It’s unclear if Palladio actually designed the loggia, but it’s included in the UNESCO World Heritage listing nonetheless.
Corso Andrea Palladio
Back through Porta Castello is Corso Andrea Palladio, the main east-west street through the historic city center of Vicenza. It runs for 708 meters between Porta Castello and Piazza Matteotti.
During the Roman period, Corso Palladio was the decumanus of the city. It was originally called Strada Maggiore, followed by Corso Principe Umberto in 1866 and Corso Ettore Muti in 1943. In June 1945, it was renamed for Palladio. The street is lined with shops and historic buildings, and most has been pedestrianized since 1983.
Church of San Filippo Neri
Near the west end of the street is the Church of San Filippo Neri (Chiesa di San Filippo Neri), which was designed by Giorgio Massari (1687-1766). Construction started in 1730 but took nearly a century due to lack of funds. The presbytery was completed in 1747 and the floors in 1822. It was consecrated on May 15, 1825, and the bell tower was erected between 1838 and 1842. By the time the church was complete, the original design had been altered by architects Domenico Cerato (1715-1792) and Antonio Piovene (1774-1858). It has been a parish church since 1840. The façade contains statues in the four niches depicting the Virgin, Charity, and SS Lawrence and Paul.
Palazzo Pojana
Two blocks east is Palazzo Pojana (also Poiana). It consists of two buildings separated by an alley that were merged together at the request of their owner, Vincenzo Pojana. The plan was presented to the municipality on January 22, 1561, and work took place between 1563 and 1566. The design, which would have been completed in 1560, is attributed to Palladio via evidence of architectural quality rather than written sources. Also, Palladio likely worked on the left building in the 1540s when Pojana decided to expand his house. Today, Palazzo Pojana is used as a residential and commercial building.
Palazzo Trissino Baston
On the next corner is Palazzo Trissino Baston, which was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548-1616) for Galeazzo Trissino. Construction started in 1588 and was completed at the end of the century. It passed through several generations and branches of the Trissino family, with Count Alessandro Trissino Baston (1775-1851) the last member to live there. It has been the seat of the Municipality of Vicenza since 1901, and the interior decorations have largely been preserved. Allied bombings on March 18, 1945, caused the roof to collapse on the side facing Corso Palladio.
The courtyard features Tuscan columns and a wrought-iron balcony along the entire façade. Inside are a handful of halls with elaborate 17th century stuccoes and frescoes.
In the loggia is a monument to Italian lawyer and politician Sebastiano Tecchio (1807-1886), who was born in Vicenza. It was originally located in the Palazzo del Capitaniato but transferred to Palazzo Trissino Baston in 1938 and placed in its current spot in 1953. The building is actually connected to the Palazzo del Capitaniato via an internal passage.
Ca’ d’Oro
Palazzo da Schio, better known as Ca’ d’Oro, is on the next corner. Construction on the late Gothic structure began in the 14th century under the Caldogno family and was completed around 1477 by the Dal Tosso family. The courtyard was completed around 1500. Lorenzo da Bologna (d. 1508) added reliefs on the ground floor and the entrance portal. Frescoes once decorated the façade but they were mostly lost during the Allied bombings in World War II. The remaining scenes depict the Crusades.
Church of San Gaetano
Next door is the Church of San Gaetano (Chiesa di San Gaetano), which was commissioned by the Theatines. It was built between 1721 and 1730 and designed by Girolamo Frigimelica Roberti (1653-1732). The Theatines were removed on July 28, 1806, by decree of Napoleon, and was later reopened as a parish church. The church was destroyed by Allied bombings on May 14, 1944, and was reconstructed between 1948 and 1952.
The statues on the façade, including St. Gaetano in the central niche, were probably made by Giacomo Cassetti (1682-1757). Inside is a painting of St. Gaetano by Francesco Solimena (1657-1747).
Piazza Matteotti
The pleasant Piazza Matteotti is at the east end of Corso Palladio and the historic city center. It traditionally held the timber and cattle market. The name was originally Piazza dell’Isola because it was surrounded by water, making it appear to be an island. On June 26, 1867, it was renamed Piazza Vittorio Emanuele in honor of the first King of Italy. It took its current name on June 5, 1945, when it was named for anti-fascist politician Giacomo Matteotti (1885-1924) who was kidnapped by the secret police of Benito Mussolini (1883-1945) on June 10, 1924, and found dead on August 10.
Monument to Fedele Lampertico
On the north side, in front of the gate to the Teatro Olimpico, is a monument to economist Fedele Lampertico (1833-1906). It was made by sculptor Carlo Spazzi (1854–1936) in 1924.
Palazzo Chiericati
Palazzo Chiericati was designed by Palladio and built in 1550 for Girolamo Chiericati. It wasn’t completed until around 1680, possibly by Carlo Borella. The city purchased the palazzo in 1839.
Palazzo Chiericati consists of a central body with symmetrical wings, with loggias on the upper level of the wings. Doric columns line the lower level and Ionic columns on the upper level. The roofline is decorated with statues. Inside are frescoes by Domenico Riccio (1516-1567), Giovanni Battista Zelotti (1526-1578), Battista del Moro (1512-after 1568), Bartolomeo Cittadella (1636-1704), and Cristoforo Menarola (1657-1731), as well as white and gold stuccoes by Bartolomeo Ridolfi (d. 1570).
Civic Museum at Palazzo Chiericati
Since 1855, it has been the headquarters of the Civic Museum (Museo Civico), which opened to the public on August 18 of that year with a natural, artistic, and archaeological collection. The historical collection followed in 1893. As the collection grew, the museum acquired other buildings. The historical collection moved to Villa Guiccioli Ambellicopoli in 1936, and the natural history and archaeological collection to the cloister of the Church of Santa Corona in 1991.
Palazzo Chiericati is now solely dedicated to the art collection of the Civic Museum, which includes paintings, sculptures, graphic art, numismatics, textiles, and applied arts. Admission is €8 for adults, €6 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open daily except Mondays.
Teatro Olimpico
Teatro Olimpico (Olympic Theatre) sits on the north side of Piazza Matteotti. It was the last work designed by Andrea Palladio and is considered one of his masterpieces.
The theatre was built between 1580 and 1585 for the Olympic Academy (Accademia Olimpica), founded in 1555. Palladio died six months into the project and never saw it completed. Vincenzo Scamozzi (1548-1616) stepped in to finish construction. The theatre is still in use today and is one of only three remaining Renaissance theatres in existence.
Admission to see Teatro Olimpico firsthand is €12 for adults, €9 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open daily except Mondays. We truly enjoyed our visit to the Teatro Olimpico and were impressed by every part of it. It was definitely one of the highlights of our visit to Vicenza.
Courtyard
The entrance is through an arch designed by Scamozzi. It was cut into a medieval wall on the north side of Piazza Matteotti. The arch opens to the courtyard of the Castello del Territorio, a fortress that was later used a prison and powder magazine before falling into disrepair.
Odeon and Anteodeon
After purchasing tickets, visitors pass through the Odeon, which was intended for music recitals, and the Anteodeon. The Odeon features incredible frescoes painted in 1637 by Francesco Maffei (1605-1660), depicting the gods of Olympus. The upper frieze of the Anteodeon was painted in 1595 with monochrome theatrical scenes of the Olympic Academy before the construction of the Teatro Olimpico.
Theatre
The intimate theatre is spectacular. Incredibly, it still contains the original stage scene from its inaugural production on March 3, 1585. The scene from Oedipus Rex was designed by Scamozzi and made of plaster and wood. It’s the oldest stage scene still in existence.
The scene was meant to represent the streets of ancient Thebes and was never removed. Scamozzi used trompe l’œil to fool the audience into thinking the scene goes on infinitely, but it only extends a few meters past the stage. His design was so elaborate that it allowed the homes inside the scenery to be lit with gas lamps from within.
The seating area is made of wood. Behind it is a loggia with columns and statues to match the scene on the stage. The ceiling is painted to resemble a cloudy blue sky.
Finally, there are a total of 95 statues in the theatre. The 42 on the stage and 21 around the loggia were dedicated to the founders of the theatre. The 28 atop the loggia and the 4 in the corners of the stairs were dedicated to the founders of the Olympic Academy or their successors.
Contrà Santa Corona
Heading back into the historic city center, there are a few streets north of Corso Palladio worth checking out. First is Contrà Santa Corona.
Church of Santa Corona
A few steps from Corso Palladio is the Church of Santa Corona (Chiesa di Santa Corona), which is one of the most important churches in Vicenza. Although not designed by Andrea Palladio, it contains one of his most important works in the city.
Santa Corona was built between 1261 and 1270 by Bishop Bartolomeo da Breganze (c. 1200-1271) to hold a supposed thorn from Christ’s crown of thorns. The relic was a gift to the bishop from Louis IX of France. The bishop assigned the Dominicans to administer the church. The convent was first built in 1271.
Between 1481 and 1489, the church was modified by architect Lorenzo da Bologna (d. c. 1508), who added the large apse, crypt, and transept. From that point on, the church was embellished with rich decorations. In 1797, however, the convent was occupied by French troops. The Dominicans returned in 1801 but were forced to leave permanently in 1810, and the Church of Santa Corona became a parish church.
Adult admission to Santa Corona is €4 for adults, €2 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open daily except Mondays.
Features of the Church of Santa Corona
The façade features a rose window. The entire exterior is made of brick. 19th century sculptures of Roman soldiers placing the crown of thorns on Christ’s head are above the entrance.
The church is on a Latin cross plan with a central nave and two aisles. The aisles end in rectangular apses. It’s bright and a bit plain outside the side chapels.
The ornate high altar was made between 1667 and 1669 by the famous Corbarelli stone-working family of Florence. Behind it is the choir, which consists of 51 stalls built at the end of the 15th century. They’re inlaid with images of buildings and still-lifes attributed to Pier Antonio degli Abbati (c. 1430-c. 1504).
Chapel of St. Joseph
The Chapel of St. Joseph (Cappella di San Giuseppe) is third on the right. It was built in the 1790s where the remains of Bishop Bartolomeo da Breganze were located until being moved to the Chapel of the Sacred Thorn. The altar is decorated with the Adoration of the Magi by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588).
Rosary Chapel
The Rosary Chapel (Cappella del Rosario) is the most spectacular of the chapels in Santa Corona. It’s the fourth chapel on the right and was completed in 1619 to commemorate the Republic of Venice’s victory over the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Lepanto, for which Vicenza contributed two ships. It took the place of two smaller chapels.
At the altar is a statue of the Virgin of the Rosary flanked by statues of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Catherine of Siena. On the sides there are four statues on pedestals, all sculpted by Giambattista Albanese (1573-1630). On the walls are scenes from the Battle of Lepanto and the life of the Virgin Mary.
Thiene Chapel
The Thiene Chapel (Capella Thiene), in the apse at the end of the right aisle, was built in 1390 by Giovanni Thiene, who was buried in the ark on the left wall in 1415. In the ark on the right wall is his great-uncle Marco Thiene. On the altar is a painting of Madonna enthroned with the Child venerated by St. Peter and St. Pius V by Giambattista Pittoni (1687-1767).
Garzadori Altar
The Garzadori Altar (Altare Garzadori) is fifth on the left aisle. It was built in the early 16th century by Tommaso da Lugano and Bernardino da Como and is the most beautiful altar in Vicenza. On the sides are two pillars with the Garzadori coat of arms. In the center is a painting of the Baptism of Christ by Giovanni Bellini (c. 1430-1516), completed between 1500 and 1502.
Crypt of the Church of Santa Corona
The crypt was built by Lorenzo da Bologna at the same time he constructed the presbytery above. In the apse is the niche where the Sacred Thorn was kept from 1520 to 1850. The altar is decorated with statues of Christ the Redeemer in the center, Louis IX of France on the left, and Bartolomeo da Breganze on the right. They were likely sculpted by Girolamo Pittoni (1490-1568). Palladio is also buried in the crypt.
Valmarana Chapel
Finally, in the crypt is the most famous part of the church, the Valmarana Chapel (Cappella Valmarana). This chapel was designed in 1576 by Andrea Palladio after the death of Antonio Valmarana. It wasn’t built until 1597, however. The altarpiece is the Apparition of the Virgin to St. Giacinto.
Natural History and Archaeological Museum
the Natural History and Archaeological Museum (Museo Naturalistico Archeologico) is housed in the cloister of the Church of Santa Corona. The cloister was built between 1496 and 1502, probably on a design by Rocco da Vicenza. The current façade was built in 1823 on a design by Angelo Casarotti da Schio.
After the Dominicans were expelled in 1810, the complex was used as a municipal high school, an Austrian military hospital, and other schools starting in 1867. From 1877 to 1962, it served as the headquarters of the Industrial Technical Institute. It has housed the Civic Archaeology and Nature Museum since September 1991. Admission is €3 for adults, €2 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids up to 17 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open daily except Mondays.
Palazzo Leoni Montanari
On the north end of the street is Palazzo Leoni Montanari, which was commissioned in 1678 by Giovanni Leoni Montanari. Construction on the Baroque structure was completed in the second half of the 18th century, and Count Girolamo Egidio di Velo purchased the building in 1808 and redecorated the main floor with frescoes and stuccoes in the Neoclassical style. By 1908, it became the offices of Banca Cattolica Vicentina. It was restored in the late 1970s and became a cultural and exhibition center in the 1990s.
Since May 1999, Palazzo Leoni Montanari has housed a branch of the Galleries of Italy (Gallerie d’italia). Admission is €5 for adults, €3 for seniors age 65+, and free for kids under 18 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open daily except Mondays from 10am to 6pm. Inside is a collection of paintings, ancient pottery, and Russian icons.
Contrà Porti
Moving further west is Contrà Porti, which is one of my favorite streets to walk down in Vicenza. Not only does it contain three buildings by Palladio, it’s full of other architectural gems.
Palazzo Iseppo da Porto
First, on the north end of the street is Palazzo Iseppo da Porto. It was designed by Palladio in 1544 for newlywed nobleman Iseppo da Porto (d. 1580). This was just before Palladio became a household name in Vicenza. Construction took place between 1546 and 1552. The building features frescoes by Paolo Veronese (1528-1588) and Domenico Brusasorzi (1516-1567) as well as stuccoes by Bartolomeo Ridolfi (d. 1570).
Palazzo Porto Colleoni
Next door is Palazzo Porto Colleoni, which dates back to about 1460. It originally had a façade full of frescoes but they were removed during restoration in 1930. It’s considered the most beautiful Venetian-Gothic palazzo in Vicenza.
Palazzo Thiene
Just down the street is the Palazzo Thiene, which was originally built in 1490 by Lorenzo da Bologna for Lodovico Thiene. Iseppo da Porto’s brothers-in-law, Adriano and Marcantonio Thiene, began to expand and remodel the building in October 1542 on a design by Giulio Romano (c. 1499-1546). The plan was revised by Palladio during construction in 1544. The building occupies an area of 54 x 62 meters.
The building was purchased by the People’s Bank of Vicenza (Banca Popolare di Vicenza) in 1872 and served as its headquarters. The City of Vicenza later acquired the property and opened it to the public for the first time on September 25, 2021, as the Galleries of Palazzo Thiene (Gallerie di Palazzo Thiene). Admission is €5 for adults, €3 for students aged 18-25, and free for kids under 18 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open Thursday through Sunday.
Palazzo Barbaran da Porto
Finally, across the street is Palazzo Barbaran da Porto. It was designed by Palladio in 1569 and built between 1570 and 1575 for Montano Barbarano. Decorations were carried out by Giovanni Battista Zelotti (1526-1578), Anselmo Canera, and Andrea Vicentino (c. 1542-1617), while Lorenzo Rubini completed the stuccoes.
After a 20 year restoration, the palazzo opened to the public in 1998 and the Palladio Museum opened in March 1999. Admission is €8 for adults, €6 for students under 25, and free for kids under 6 and holders of a Vicenza Gold Card (as of April 2025). It’s open Wednesday through Sunday. The building is also the home of the headquarters of the Andrea Palladio International Center for Architectural Studies (Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura Andrea Palladio), or CISA for short.
Corso Antonio Fogazzaro
A couple blocks west is Corso Antonio Fogazzaro, which is one of the main roads in the historic city center of Vicenza. It’s lined with Renaissance and Baroque palazzos and was the scene of a Christmas market during our visit.
Palazzo Valmarana Braga Rosa
Palazzo Valmarana Braga Rosa is a few steps north of Corso Palladio. It was completed in 1566 for Isabella Nogarola Valmarana. Her late husband, Giovanni Alvise (d. 1558) contracted Palladio for the design. The road is very narrow and it’s difficult to see the building, but Palladio was able to compensate for this. The roof and much of the main hall were destroyed by Allied bombings on March 18, 1945, but the marble and plaster façade remained intact.
Palazzo Cordellina
A quick detour down Contrada Riale takes you to Palazzo Cordellina, which was built between 1786 and 1790 by architect Ottone Calderari (1730-1803) in a Palladian style. It was commissioned by Carlo Cordellina and sits on the site of an old Jesuit complex.
The façade features Doric columns on the ground floor and Ionic columns on the upper floor, and the courtyard has a double loggia with columns of the same order. Frescoes were painted by Paolo Guidolini (1742-1798) and Girolamo Ciesa between 1784 and 1789. An Allied bombing on March 18, 1945, destroyed some of their work.
Palazzo Cordellina was restored between 2007 and 2011. The building is now owned by the Bertolian Civic Library (Biblioteca Civica Bertoliana). It’s used as a cultural center and hosts temporary exhibitions and conferences.
Church of San Lorenzo
Near the north end of the street is the Church of San Lorenzo (Chiesa di San Lorenzo). It faces Piazza San Lorenzo and was built by the Franciscans between 1280 and 1300. After Napoleon took over the city in 1797, the church and convent were looted and converted to a military hospital. The Franciscans were evicted in 1810 and the complex fell into disrepair. The city restored it between 1836 and 1839 and reopened the church to worship. It was closed between 1859 and 1866 to support the struggle for Italian unification, and again between 1903 and 1914 for restoration. The church closed again a year later to serve as a food warehouse for World War I, finally opening on October 29, 1927, under the Franciscans.
The façade of the church features Gothic, Romanesque, and Venetian elements. The portal was created by Venetian sculptor Andriolo de Santi (c. 1320-1375). It was financed by Pietro da Marano, who is depicted kneeling in front of a seated Virgin and Child with St. Francis and St. Lawrence standing next to him. The busts of St. Paul and the Apostles flanking Christ are on the door jamb below, while busts of five prophets and five patriarchs are on the border above.
In addition, there are four 14th century sarcophagi in the arches flanking the portal. From left to right, they belong to Benvenuto da Porto, Marco da Marano, Lapo degli Uberti (c. 1247-c. 1312), and Perdono Repeta. The church itself is on a Latin cross plan and features several funerary monuments and works of art inside.
Monument to Giacomo Zanella
A monument to Italian poet Giacomo Zanella (1820-1888) stands in the square in front of the church. It was sculpted by Carlo Spazzi (1854-1936) in 1893.
Campo Marzo
Campo Marzo is a large park southwest of the historic city center. In ancient times, predating the Roman period, it was used as a burial ground. In the Middle Ages, public executions and fairs were held there, and it was used for military exercises starting in the 17th century and horse racing until the end of the 18th century. During French rule, it was used to quarter troops, and the Austrians used as a parade ground. Today, it’s a public park featuring the tree-lined Viale Dalmazia.
Retrone River
A section of the Retrone River flows along the east side of Campo Marzo and through the historic city center of Vicenza. You’ll be treated to some nice views if you cross the bridges on the river.
Palazzo Civena Trissino
Palazzo Civena Trissino is a few steps from Campo Marzo along the Retrone River. It was the very first palace built by Palladio in Vicenza. It was built for brothers Giovanni Giacomo, Pier Antonio, Vincenzo, and Francesco Civena between 1540 and 1542. In 1565, the Civena brothers sold it to the Trissino dallo d’Oro family, who owned it for the next 4 centuries. The building has undergone significant changes and expansions, especially under Domenico Cerato in 1750. The building was half destroyed by an Allied bombing on April 2, 1944. It was rebuilt and later became a nursing home.
San Michele Bridge
The San Michele Bridge (Ponte San Michele) is a pedestrian bridge built between 1621 and 23 by Tomaso and Francesco Contini. It’s the third bridge at the site, replacing the original wooden bridge built in 1265 and a stone bridge built in 1422. It’s named for the Church of San Michele (Chiesa di San Michele), which was built in the 13th century by the Augustinians and demolished during the Napoleonic period.
