TOURISM :: Vicenza and its path.

Vicenza
Vicenza, located in the heart of the Veneto region, is the city of the famous architect Andrea Palladio and the villas that he planned for the magnificence of important families. Thanks to the beauty of these works and the influence of his architectural style all around the world, Vicenza and the Palladian villas of the Veneto Region have been included in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1994 and 1996.
Today Vicenza is, in fact, one of Italy's cities with the highest number of monumental complexes compared to its extension. This makes it a real unexpected jewel to those visitors who take a walk in the old town centre.

But perhaps it is Goethe's words in his "Italian Journey" which express the value, the importance and the fascination of Palladio's artwork best:
"I arrived but a few hours ago, but I already took a glance at the town, and I saw the Teatro Olimpico and Palladio's buildings... It is only with these monuments before our eyes that we can comprehend their great value. With their bulk and their impressiveness they must, so to say, fill our eyes, whereas the beautiful harmony of their dimensions, not only in the abstract design, but in the whole of their perspective, both what protrudes and what recedes, pleases the spirit. And this is really, in my opinion, the case of Palladio: an extraordinary man, both for what he felt within and for what he could express without."
Vicenza also hosts the Marian Sanctuary of Monte Berico, pilgrim destination, which from the top of the hill gives a priceless view on the city and the hills surrounding.
Vicenza is also a worldwide gold capital, with an age-old tradition in the gold and jewel sector thanks to the sapient hands of its craftsmen and manufacturers and the refined and elegant design of their productions.

Bassano del Grappa
Crossed by the river Brenta, Bassano del Grappa is one of the most densely-populated and well-developed town in Veneto. As well as fast-growing industrial economy and a lively cultural activity, Bassano possesses a fine gastronomic tradition: it is impossible to leave without having tasted the asparagues, dried cod and grappa (if possible at the Nardini distillery).
Standing in the central Monte Vecchio square are the impressive Palazzo del monte di pieta' and the Casa Dal Corno Bonato, the facade of which was frescoed by Jacopo da Ponte, known as il Bassano (his works are now conserved in the Museo Civico); a few steps away, in Piazza della Liberta', is the neoclassical church of San Giovanni built in the 1300s by the architect Giovanni Miazzi. The 15th century Loggia del Comune is also lovely. All the town is dotted with buildings of fine taste, enriched with prescious ornamentation; a walk through the quiet squares is most fascinating.
The pearl of Bassano is, however, its wooden bridge, designed by Palladio in this material as its flexibility would resist the raging Brenta river. It was damaged both by the river and by bombings, but it was always restored following the ideas of Palladio. The last restoration was in the second postwar period and it was due to the Alpine troops.

Marostica
According to the legend, in 1454, Rinaldo da Angarano and Vieri da Vallonara played an important live game of chess in Marostica on a huge chessboard, specially painted in Piazza Castello, to win the hand of Lionora, the daughter of the lord of the castle, Taddeo Parisio. Since 1954 this splendid challenge has been re-enacted every two years and has turned into a real town festival, with displays of traditional 15th century costumes. Besides the, now famous, chessboard the whole medieval complex , one of the most important in Veneto, is lovely.
Two fortified walls start from the upper castle, set on the hill adjacent to the town; they embrace the whole old town centre and meet lower down in the lower Castle, recently not too perfectly restored.
Outside the circle, beyond the three gates it is possible to visit the intricate outlying districts, including the borgo di Giara, originally the centre of Marostica.

Thiene
Thiene is a lively busy town of more than 21,000 inhabitants, and dates back to Roman times. It was developed around a "castrum" and in Medieval times was transformed into a castle to defend the village and protect the local church: "Pieve di S. Maria". Thiene gradually grew over the years, showing its genuine spirit and cultural, artistic and social soul in the dynamic and busy area that surrounds the town.

Tonezza del Cimone
Tonezza del Cimone is the perfect place for whoever loves long walkings, a quiet environment opposed to the present frenetic life in town, a splendid natural setting. Tonezza of fers an old-time atmosphere and friendly people. Ideal place for relaxing and interesting holiday.

Recoaro Terme
The beauty of Recoaro and the small Dolomites, a happy combination of climate, spontaneous vegetation and scenic shapes allow those who love nature and exercise to find the ideal setting in Recoaro for a "healthy" stay, where hangglinding, mountain climbing, mountain-bike routes and many types of walks and excursions can be enjoyed. The surroundings of the villas offer guests of every age the healthy coolness and magic of the woods, whereas up on high, the hazardous walls of the Small Dolomites are a challenge for the most experiences climbers. Guided tours and excursions lead you live a holiday totally immerged in nature.

        

Hotels in VICENZA