Vicenza and Palladian Villas in Veneto

Years ago, I had a history teacher tell stories about Venetian villas, which… Baladin Villas called and near the city Vicenza I heard, in Brenta channel. The only comparison I could imagine at the time was the villas along the River Vecht in the province of Utrecht. I have already decided after that that I would like to visit him someday.

In fact, Palladian villas don’t have much Venice To make it, it was designed by the architect Palladio who lived and worked in Vicenza. Only after he had become famous and had already designed a dozen villas did some Venetian novices hire him to build such villas for them in the countryside outside Venice, especially along the Brenta Canal. Born in Padua whose real name is Andrea de Pietro della Gondola, Palladio rose from a simple builder to a career as a respected architect, a title he only acquired after his thirtieth birthday.

But then the fame of this versatile Renaissance man went quickly. Palladio (1508-1580) was a generation later Leonardo Da Vinci (1452-1519), but he was not inferior to the genius of his predecessor. The amount of buildings he fell on seemed indescribable for his lifetime. He designed not only 23 palaces and government buildings in Vicenza, 24 large villas in the Veneto region, but also a number of churches, two of them in Venice, including the church of San Giorgio Maggiore. Below you will find an overview of his most important works.

He also wrote some standard works on style and architecture that have been used for centuries. (I Quattro Libri dell’Architettura, 1550). His style can be found in stately homes throughout Europe, especially in England and France but even in Russia until the late eighteenth century. In the United States, his influence is attested to by Monticello (Thomas Jefferson), Harvard Hall (from the university), and the winning Capitol design.

Vicenza and Palladio Villas are located in Brenta channel Standing in the Veneto A . region UNESCO World Heritage In Italy. At first the site was called “Vicenza, Palladio” and only buildings such as the Basilica of Palladiana, Teatro Olimpico, de Palazzi and villas in the immediate vicinity of Vicenza were included. But since only a small number of Palladian villas were actually on the territory of Vicenza and many were along the Brenta Canal, the protected site was expanded.

What distinguishes Palladio’s style in Vicenza

Palladio’s approach to architecture was greatly influenced by classical forms and strict proportions, which make Palladio’s buildings appear strict from the outside. However, inside, elaborate ornamentation, gilding and ornamentation created a luxurious and luxurious environment. He strove to revive the principles of ancient Roman architecture, emphasizing the importance of proportion, symmetry, and the correct use of classical orders.

Vicenza, the city of Palladio

To see his work, it is best to visit Vicenza, a city that, like many beautiful places, attracts quite a few international visitors. Vicenza is about the size of Zwolle, but one of the wealthiest cities in Italy, thanks in large part to the textile, steel, gold, jewelry, and microprocessor industries (Federico Fagen, co-inventor of the microprocessor, was born in Vicenza) In it is not great for tourism, however Vicenza is a thriving and cosmopolitan city, with a rich history and culture, many museums, art galleries, squares, villas, churches and an elegant Renaissance palace.In addition, Vicenza has a very special property Jewelery Museumthat we wrote about before.

A little history of Vicenza

In 157 BC. The city was a Roman center and was given the name Vicetia or Vincentia, which means “victorious”. Citizens acquired Roman citizenship, even at that time a center for brick factories, marble quarries, wool-making and agriculture because it was an intermediate station on the important road from Mediolanum (Milan) to Aquileia and what is now Trieste, three bridges over the Bacchiglione and Retrone rivers still from Roman origin, and outside Porta Santa Croce there are some Roman aqueduct arches.

Vicenza came under the rule of the Republic of Venice in 1404, and since then the history of Vicenza has been closely connected with the history of the city of Doge. Until the time of Palladio in the 16th century, the city was an underdeveloped area and not much happened. The client literally and figuratively put Vicenza on the map and important buildings were constructed to give the city a better look.

Photo Gallery

After 1814 Vicenza came into the hands of the Austrian Empire. In 1848, the population revolted against the Austrians who led a violent regime. Also in the First and Second World Wars Vicenza was a focal point of the resistance and several bombings were carried out on the city. In the 1960s, economic development experienced an astonishing growth. Huge industrial areas sprang up around the city, massive and unregulated urbanization and the employment of foreign immigrants increased. Thus, the suburbs are terrible witnesses to the Italian mass concrete construction.

If you are looking for Factory storesYou can go to important apparel companies such as: Diesel, Bal Zileri, Marzotto, Bottega Veneta, Marlboro Classics, to name a few, Campagnolo Bicycle Factory and Dainese Sportswear are here.

Where to eat in Vicenza

Remo Villa Carrollato

There is so much to say about Remo Villa Cariolato, it’s hard to find a starter. Primarily, it is a good restaurant that serves excellent cuisine and is much appreciated. The restaurant had been around for some time, but had recently moved into the villa that had belonged to Domenico Cariolato, who at the age of 24 joined in 1000 of Garibaldi, a small army who sailed from a seaside town near Genoa in a legion of small boats around. Sicily. to invade. The Museum of Italian Unification in Vicenza displays the letters Garibaldi exchanged with Cariolato. The villa and its park from the late 19th century have been carefully renovated and are now used by the wonderful restaurant. Eating here is an experience in itself, besides being one of the best restaurants in the area.

Strada di Bertesina 313, 36100 Vicenza – Tel. [+39] 0444 911007 – Closed on Mondays, Sunday lunch only – Website https://www.removillacariolato.it/

Austria Isetta

A warm welcome and excellent slow food with dishes from Colli Berici. The name Isetta is the name of the family grandmother who ran this cozy osteria. All the products they use here in the kitchen are locally sourced, and many Slow Food Presidia products are also used. What you shouldn’t miss is the groceries and baked truffles.

Osteria Isetta – Via Pederiva 96, Val Liona 36040, Grancona, Vicenza – Tel. 0444-889521 – Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays – Website: https://www.trattoriaisetta.com/

Where to stay?

La Barchesa de Villa Pisani

If you want to spend the night in one of Palladio’s villas, you can do so at Villa Pisani, in the attached barchessa. La Barchessa di Villa Pisani is located in the historic Villa Pisani, in the picturesque countryside of northern Italy. The villa was designed by the architect Andrea Palladio in the 16th century and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site “The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto”. The villa was built as a country residence for the Pisani family, nobles from Venice, and is close to the Goa River. Villa Pisani contains the huge and characteristic building “Barchessa”, originally a farmhouse with large arched porticos. At first it was used for agricultural purposes, but in the 21st century it came back to life after careful restoration and complete renovation. Now the restored and renovated “Barchessa” serves as a hotel, restaurant and event venue.

Via Risaie 1/3, Bagnolo di Lonigo – tel. +39 0444 831207 – Web www.labarchessadivillapisani.it – ​​Reservations and rates: La Barchessa

Agriturismo Corte Bertsina

Beautifully located farmhouse with renovated accommodations, suite for up to three people, lots of wood, parquet floors, lovely garden with private terrace for al fresco dining. Everything is wheelchair accessible. A short walk from the centre.

St. di Bertesina, 276, 36100 Vicenza, Italy – Reservations and rates: Corte Bertesina

Route with important places in and around Vicenza

That’s in the middle, because in Vicenza of course we will see the architectural wonders of Palladio. The Vicenza Tourism Office has put together a walking route, which included all the important structures, and why we want to improve it. You can download the brochure with the route here, or you can pick it up at the Tourist Office. the road passes

• Teatro Olympico
• Chiricatiya Palace
• Casa Cogolo
• Palazzo da Monte Migliorini
• Capella Valmarana
• Palazzo Iseppo da Porto
• Palazzo Barbaran da Porto
• Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare
• Palladian Basilica
• Loggia del Capitaniato
• Palazzo Bojana
• Palazzo Valmarana Braga Rosa
• Dome and Porta della Catedral
• Palazzo Porto Briganzi
• Palazzo Capra
• Loggia Valmarana

Tip: To see the villas in the countryside and along the Brenta Canal, a boat trip is recommended. The roads are narrow and often very crowded in the high season.

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