Vicenza, an undiscovered pearl between Venice and Verona
Posted on November 6, 2022
''Vicenza? Don't you mean Venice?'' This was a frequently asked question when I traveled for work to beautiful Vicenza, which can be reached by train from both Venice and Verona in just half an hour! Curious what you can do here? Then read on!
Wander through the historic center
Vicenza city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site! Why? In Vicenza and the entire region you will find the influence of architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580). His work is based on a detailed study of classical Roman architecture and his style soon spread to North America and Europe. For example, the design of the White House was based on his work! Cool right!
However, Vicenza was Palladio's playground and in our opinion you cannot miss the following buildings during your visit:
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Basilica Palladiana, located in the heart of the city center and one of the first buildings that Palladio sank his teeth into.
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Villa la Rotonda is perhaps Palladio's most famous building. It is located just outside Vicenza and you feel like you are in a symmetrical fairy tale. There is a network of several other villas in the area.
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Teatro Olimpico is the oldest indoor theater in the world and also Palladio's last project. The decor in the theater is fascinating and every now and then a performance is performed, for example during the Opera Festival in October. Want to know more about the events? Then view the website .
Enjoy delicious Italian dishes & learn more about gastronomy
In Vicenza you get the time to enjoy your food! The city is known for its 'slow experiences' with nature & culture. The restaurants that the locals recommended to us to switch back a gear and mainly enjoy the food were the following:
Da Righetti, it is clear that the Italians have a different lunch culture than the Dutch. Do you want to experience this lunch culture in full glory? Then don't miss Da Righetti. After you have chosen a table, you go to the counter to place your order directly with the chefs. You can enjoy a delicious vegetarian lasagna, but also prosciutto with figs.
Al Pellegrino 1926, just outside Vicenza and not too far from Villa la Rotanda you will find this cozy restaurant with a fantastic view of the surroundings. You can order from the menu or use the self-service, where you can choose from various sandwiches à la Place.
Angolo Palladio, here you can enjoy delicious real Italian pizzas, but also delicious meat and fish dishes. Oh and don't forget to try the classic tiramisu.
Crichelon Ristorante Agriturismo is a real family restaurant in the mountains near Vicenza. The products used come directly from the land. You can also drink delicious wines from the Veneto region!
Finally, would you like to delve into the gastronomy of Italy in a unique way? Then visit Biblioteca Internazionale La Vigna. Here you will find age-old books with beautiful pictures.
A mix of business & leisure: BLESURE!
What do you get when business and leisure combine? That's right, injury! In Vicenza there are two great examples of companies that use this concept: the D-Air Lab plus the associated Dainese Museum and Fondazione Bisazza. The first company has been focusing on the equipment of professional sports motorcycle riders for years. The evolution of that equipment can be seen in the museum. In addition, it can be seen how the company has also focused on other innovations in equipment in recent years, such as astronaut equipment.
Accessibility
As mentioned in the introduction to this blog, Vicenza can be visited within half an hour of Venice and Verona. We really recommend discovering the other pearls of this area from peaceful Vicenza!
