Vicenza Culture

In the northeastern area of Italy sits Vicenza, one of the most architecturally rich cities in the country. With dozens of civic buildings, churches, palaces, and villas, it has become a United Nations Educational Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site officially recognized as The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. And architecture is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the flourish of culture this city offers via literature, art, music, and cinema. The city of Vicenza is a fabulous addition to a vacation itinerary for those interested in Italian culture and aesthetics. With so many enchanting things to see, vacationers may want to plan to spend several days in this charming city.

ARCHITECTURE

Some say that the buildings in Vicenza are so stately and majestic that they resemble those Americans find etched into the back of a nickel. While there are a few city landmarks that can be attributed to other architects, by and large Vicenza’s architecture is largely due to the creative talents of renowned Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. He is credited with designing prominent Vicenza buildings such as the Basilica Palladiana, Teatro Olimpico, Villa Almerico Capra, and several different palazzi.

The Basilica Palladiana is located in Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza’s historic city center. This elaborate fifteenth century building that consists of two levels of gorgeous and ornate archways and regal columns is a Renaissance creation. The building and its tall stone clock tower are somewhat of an icon of the city and Palladio’s work.

Perhaps the most renowned icon of Vicenza is the Teatro Olimpico. The theater is quite majestic and is thought to have the longest surviving stage set. Architect Andrea Palladio began the design for the theater, but passed before completion, and architect Vincenzo Scamozzi took over. The interior of the theater is a stunning white wash with stone bench style seating. The intricate detail given to every aspect of the theater’s interior is awe inspiring. Teatro Olimpico still hosts musical exhibitions today.

The Villa Almerico Capra, sometimes called La Rotonda, can be found outside of the city’s center. The light-colored structure appears to rise up on a tree dotted green plot of land. The columns and build of the structure easily convey Palladio’s Roman inspiration. The interior of La Rotonda is equally impressive with amazing religious frescoes and domed ceilings. It is a must see on your Italian getaway.

The Cathedral of Vicenza is an eleventh century structure that has received numerous restoration efforts throughout the years. The front façade of the building is simply stunning with decorative archways, checkerboard stone patterning, and rounded edges. The checkerboard theme on the exterior carries over to the floor of the interior and the outer archways are a theme in the interior as well. This religious institution is a gorgeous building, parts of which were designed by Palladio.

For architecture and history buffs who would like to see more of architect Andrea Palladio’s work, consider visits to the Palazzo Chiericati, Palazzo del Capitaniato, Palazzo Porto, Palazzo Barbaran da Porto, Palazzo Thiene, and Palazzo Thiene Bonin Longare. Many of these structures incorporate some aspect of Palladio’s creative work.

ART

Much of Vicenza’s art translates to stunning architecture. The exterior and interior of many landmarks in the city are a work of art in and of themselves. For that reason, architecture is considered to be a large part of this affluent town’s identity.

Perhaps the best-known architect of Vicenza, as mentioned above, is Andrea Palladio. This world renowned sixteenth century architect combined aspects of Renaissance, Ancient Roman, and Ancient Greek architecture to create his own style of architecture that became even more highly regarded in ensuing years. Palladio is said to have designed almost two dozen buildings and two dozen villas in the area. The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Italian architect Vincenzo Scamozzi was born in Vicenza and is one of the best-known architects in the area after Andrea Palladio. After Palladio’s death, Scamozzi was charged with completing many of Palladio’s unfinished projects. Scamozzi is considered to have been instrumental in finishing Palladio’s design for the Teatro Olimpico.

Francesco Muttoni was a seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Italian architect who spent some of his early life in Vicenza. He learned much of his trade from his father who was a bricklayer and from other artistic influences. Muttoni is credited with designing a number of palazzi and villas in Vicenza and throughout Italy.

Of course, not all of Vicenza’s artists were architects. Fifteenth- and sixteenth-century artist Valerio Belli, for instance, was born in Vicenza. Belli is known as an expert medalist, goldsmith, and engraver. He is suspected to have done some coin carving work, but he is primarily known for his small reliefs and portrait medals and his design of an ornate casket commissioned by a pope for a future king.

As for admiring historic art, travelers should visit Gallerie d’Italia – Palazzo Leoni Montanari. Located in a Baroque building, the gallery features ceramics from antiquity as well as eighteenth century Venetian paintings, marble sculptures by Agostino Fasolato, and Russian icons.

LITERATURE

With so much beauty found within the arts, it is no surprise that the aesthetically pleasing surroundings are suspected to have inspired many renowned writers over the centuries including Gian Giorgio Trissino, Luigi Meneghello, and Giacomo Zanella.

Poet Gian Giorgio Trissino was a fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Italian poet born in Vicenza. Some of Trissino’s most notable works include the tragedy Sophonisba, I Simillimi, and Poetica.

A prominent Italian author, Luigi Meneghello was born on the outskirts of Vicenza. He is said to have studied in Vicenza and eventually went on to write several books including Libera nos a Malo based on aspects of his hometown of Malo and the work I piccolo maestri which translates to The Little Teachers. Both novels could be said to have a slight political undertone. Meneghello passed away in the early twenty-first century.

Esteemed nineteenth-century writer Giacomo Zanella was also born near Vicenza. This Italian poet wrote a number of poems and sonnets, many of which partially reflected personal events and the relationship between religion and science.

MUSIC

Twentieth and twenty-first century singer Mammola Sandon, more commonly known as Flo Sandon’s, was a famous Italian singer in the years following World War II. Born in Vicenza, Sandon performed in clubs and contests throughout Italy and eventually performed songs for the movie Anna (1951). Some of her best-known hits include Que sera sera and Vorrei volare.

With the Teatro Olimpico being a worldwide symbol for the city of Vicenza, the theater is home to many celebrations of music including opera, classical, and so much more. In October, the Vicenza Opera Festival is held and often attracts talented musicians from all over the world.

CINEMA

Vicenza’s gorgeous and architecturally famous landmarks can also be found on the big screen. This may be due in large part to the Vicenza Film Commission’s efforts to promote the city’s image to domestic and international film production companies. According to the Vicenza Film Commission, well over fifty Italian TV shows or movies have been filmed at least in part in the area since the 1940s.

A few notable movies filmed in Vicenza include Casanova ’70 (1965), La moglie del prete (1970), Perdiamoci di vista (1994), I piccoli maestri (1997), and Ripley’s Game (2002).

SCIENCE

Italian-American physicist and inventor Federico Faggin was born in Vicenza and studied at the University of Padua. He is best-known for inventing Intel 4004, the first commercially produced microprocessor in 1971.

The architecture, art, literature, music, and cinema of Vicenza are just waiting to be discovered. Pack your bags and plan the getaway of a lifetime to Northeastern Italy and see exactly what makes Vicenza special.

Travel Guides

The Veneto Region of Italy

The Cities of  Veneto, Italy