Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Vicenza, Veneto

May 19, 2022 Brandee Mangan

Vicenza’s history dates back to pre-Roman times, but it’s a Renaissance figure, Andrea Palladio, with whom the city is most associated. One of the preeminent figures in Western architecture, Palladio built more than twenty buildings here, including the Basilica Palladiana, the Palazzo Chiericati (home to Vicenza’s museum and art gallery), the Teatro Olimpico (his last and some say greatest work) and many other palaces and villas, leading UNESCO to designate the city as a World Heritage Site.
Restaurants in Vicenza

1. Teatro Olimpico

Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 11, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0444 964380 [email protected] http://www.teatrolimpicovicenza.it/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 2,882 reviews

Teatro Olimpico

Andrea Palladio’s last work and masterpiece, the Olympic Theatre was commissioned in February 1580 by the Accademia Olimpica, a society of mixed social classes founded in Vicenza in 1555 for cultural and scientific purposes and to which Palladio himself belonged. Construction began in May 1580, but Palladio died suddenly on 19 August of that year so did not see its completion. After various, complex delays, the theatre was completed five years later and opened on 3 March 1585 with the memorable staging of Sophocles’ Oedipus Tyrannus. The theatre is reached by way of the odeon and anti-odeon, two large rooms designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi and decorated respectively with frescoes by Francesco Maffei portraying divinities and allegorical figures (c. 1637) and a monochrome frieze of considerable documentary interest (c. 1595). This depicts theatrical productions presented by the Accademia before construction of the Olimpic Theatre (Amor costante, Sophonisba) and shows or events held in the new theatre (Oedipus the King, the diplomatic mission of Japanese envoys). Palladio designed a monumental scenae frons within an enclosed space intended to simulate classical theatres in the open air. It is flanked by two wings or stage doors and a semi-elliptical cavea with thirteen tiers, ending in a columned exedra at the top, partly open and partly with niches in the wall. Statues of the academicians who commissioned the theatre, dressed in classical costume, occupy the niches and plinths of the structure. A series of splendid bas reliefs showing stories of Hercules by Ruggero Bascape occupies the highest row. Wooden perspective scenery of the streets of Thebes runs back from the three openings in the scenea frons. This was designed by Scamozzi for the opening performance of Oedipus Tyrannus and has remained as a permanent feature

Reviewed By davida732 - Crewe, United Kingdom

The main reason for our visit after making a promise to ourselves to visit here if we ever had the chance after watching John Malkovich in Ripley's Game a couple of years ago where the closing scene was filmed here. It really is awe inspiring and we were very lucky to see a light show highlighting the stage and surroundings. We really need to return to watch a performance here one day

2. Basilica Palladiana

Piazza Dei Signori, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0444 222850 [email protected] http://www.museicivicivicenza.it/it/tbc/basilica_palladiana/
Excellent
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 2,165 reviews

Basilica Palladiana

The Palladian Basilica is a public building facing onto the Piazza dei Signori. Its name is linked to Andrea Palladio, who redesigned it, adding the famous loggias with serliana openings in white marble to the existing Gothic building. The building on which Palladio worked was the Palazzo della Ragione, built in Gothic style in the mid-fifteenth century. The upper floor is entirely taken up by an enormous hall with no intermediate supports, where the Council of the Four Hundred met. The copper-lined, inverted ship’s-hull roof was inspired by that of the Palazzo della Ragione in Padua. The Gothic facade was originally clad with diamonds of red and straw yellow Verona marble, which are still visible behind Palladio’s addition. A loggia surrounding the building was commissioned after its completion, but continually delayed due to various structural difficulties and the nature of the ground beneath. At the beginning of the sixteenth century the double order of porticoes and loggias, though not complete, collapsed. The Council called on many leading architects of the time to resolve the difficult problem of its reconstruction. They included Jacopo Sansovino, Sebastiano Serlio and Giulio Romano. The project was awarded to Andrea Palladio (1508-80) in 1549, following a competition, and he worked on it for the rest of his life. It was completed posthumously in 1614. The reconstructed building was called a basilica by Palladio himself, who had been inspired by the model of the Roman basilica for civic use. The building has three independent exhibition spaces that are used to host architecture and art exhibitions of international renown.

Reviewed By peterbysea

A vast structure filling the piazza. The upper hall with the wooden roof of an upturned boats hull is amazing. The view from the external galleries is pleasent over the market place. Sadly in winter the upper roof area is closed for H&S reasons! Take the lift up!

3. Piazza dei Signori

Piazza dei Signori, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0422 429999 http://www.comune.vicenza.it
Excellent
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4.5 based on 1,715 reviews

Piazza dei Signori

Reviewed By TBBTGrace - San Francisco, United States

Piazza dei Signori (Square of the Lords) is the main square of this little gem of a town, Vicenza. During the Roman Empire it was the center of markets and exchange of commercial business, as well as one the main strolling areas of the citizenship.

4. Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Piazza San Lorenzo corso Fogazzaro, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0444 321960 http://www.arte.it/guida-arte/vicenza/da-vedere/chiesa/tempio-di-san-lorenzo-5822
Excellent
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4.5 based on 114 reviews

Chiesa di San Lorenzo

Reviewed By ColinD1308 - West Drayton, United Kingdom

The nicest church that we saw on our trip to Vicenza. Though it is brick built (or at least brick clad on the outside) rather than made of stone it is very impressive both inside and out. Lots of wonderful paintings on the inside and various other statues and the line. To me it is more impressive that the Cathedral, hence if you only have time to visit one, visit this one. Lots of history inside and free to visit/wander around. You can take pictures inside if that is your thing.

5. Palazzo Chiericati

Piazza Giacomo Matteotti 37/39, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0444 222811 [email protected] http://www.museicivicivicenza.it/it/mcp/orari.php
Excellent
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4.5 based on 553 reviews

Palazzo Chiericati

The Palazzo Chiericati has been the historic home of the Civic Museum since 1855 and now houses the city's collections of paintings, sculptures and applied arts from the thirteenth to the twentieth centuries. A masterpiece of Palladio's early maturity (1550), the building not only has decorations from that period but also holds important documents on Vicenza's art history. The Museum of Palazzo Chiericati reopened the Palladian wing on December 2013, after the restoration works. On the main floor, the visitor can enjoy the works of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, contemporary to the construction of the building. The attic hosts the Bequest of Marquis Giuseppe Roi: his personal collection of paintings, drawings and engravings from the fifteenth to the twentieth century, set in a charming display of house-museum. On the ground floor the visitor can admire, in a temporary exhibition, a selection of masterpieces of the collection not currently on display: Paolo Veneziano, Memling, Montagna, Fogolino, Sansovino, Tintoretto, Maffei and Pittoni. In the basement are located the works donated to the museum by the sculptor Nereo Quagliato.

Reviewed By christina_stilista - Perth, Australia

Very beautiful museum and Palazzo that is worth the visit. Beautiful collection of art in addition to the Palazzo. There is an antique toy exhibit in the basement that is EXCEPTIONAL. I have never seen better anywhere in the world. I suggest you include this Palazzo in your visit to the Teatro Olimpico.

6. Ponte San Michele

Via Ponte San Michele, Vicenza Italy
Excellent
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4.5 based on 175 reviews

Ponte San Michele

Reviewed By petergoode2 - Hendersonville, United States

As others at TA have mentioned, the Ponte San Michele is at the south end of Vicenza, not far from the Basilica, and viewing it from the bridge more to the west provides for great views looking both at the bridge and water at the left, and waterway toward the right. Reminded us of a similar view in Colmar. On a sunny day, this is definitely a worthwhile minor detour for a picturesque view of a very peaceful area of town.

7. Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico

Viale 10 giugno, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0444 559411 http://www.monteberico.it
Excellent
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4.5 based on 743 reviews

Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico

Reviewed By larryrosen99 - Wayne, United States

The sanctuary is situated at the top of a hill overlooking Vicenza. It can be reached by car or on foot. It’s a 20-25 minute walk from the old city, up a fairly steep hill, with sidewalks on both sides on both sides of the road. Visitors are rewarded with panoramic views of the city with jagged mountain peaks in the distance. The sanctuary is white and is adjoined by a well-proportioned brick clock tower. This is a beautiful spot!

8. Parco Querini

L'ingresso Principale di Viale Mariano Rumor, Vicenza Italy http://www.comune.vicenza.it/ente/settori/dipserv/cultur/turismo/attrattiveturistiche/querini.php
Excellent
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4.5 based on 336 reviews

Parco Querini

Reviewed By Ogi0 - Sofia, Bulgaria

Very nice park, right next to the historic center of Vicenza. There are many animals in freedom - rabbits, ducks, beaver, hens, etc. Very suitable for children.

9. Gallerie di Palazzo Leoni Montanari

Contra Santa Corona 25, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 080 057 8875 [email protected] http://www.palazzomontanari.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 309 reviews

Gallerie di Palazzo Leoni Montanari

Reviewed By r0landbrunner - Zurich, Switzerland

there are some really excellent pieces to be seen here in the permanent collection, and there was a very good temporary exhibition at our visit about time. definitely worth the visit.

10. Villa Valmarana ai Nani

Stradella Dei Nani 8, 36100 Vicenza Italy +39 0444 321803 [email protected] http://www.villavalmarana.com
Excellent
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4.5 based on 701 reviews

Villa Valmarana ai Nani

Venetian villa with superb frescoes of the most important Venetian painters of 18th century: Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo. Still owned and inhabited by the Valmarana family, who bought it back in 1720. Open to the public for visits 7 days a week and available for events such as weddings, conferences, gala dinners, photo shooting, business presentations, concerts, representations, etc

Reviewed By Clinor - Canterbury, United Kingdom

If you are in Vicenza, it is very well worth making the effort to get to the Villa ‘ai Nani’, which is a charming Villa in its own right and has interior frescoes by Gianbattista Tiepolo following his decoration of the grand staircase at the Wurzburg Residence, Germany) and his son Giandomenico. This is my third visit to the Villa, and each time I never fail to be enchanted by the light airy frescoes of the Villa Pavilion. All the frescoes of the Pavillion have a classical theme. In my view the most outstanding ones are in the entrance room but there are four further rooms each with a different narrative. In the room of Aeneas, there is a photograph of the Pavilion after the bombing of Vicenza in 1944. It is truly shocking. Some of the ceiling frescoes do not survive or only in part. It would be good to have more information available about the restoration; it must have been a real labour of love. We walked around the gardens before returning to the Foresteria where we had bought our tickets. There you can see a series of painted rooms, some of which were painted by the Tiepolo father and son. They make an interesting counterpoint to the more noble themes of the Pavilion.

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