Vicenza! Look for the close up in the next photo.
Most people skip this beautiful town as they race around to northern Italy’s bigger attractions such as Venice and Verona. But we were so glad that we didn’t! There were stunning architectural masterpieces scattered throughout the city…as you can see in the photos below.
Amazing detail!
The photos above, and the next seven that follow, were taken at Pizza dei Signori, which is the big central square of Vicenza. It was the center of social and political life since the Roman Era!
Can you find Nate and me at the base of the monuments? Look for the close ups in the next three photos.
Vicenza was founded by the ancient Venetos, then it passed to the Romans.
It was invaded by Barbarians (the real ones, not small children like this one who frequently forget their table manners) in late Roman times!
It became a Dukedom under the Lombards, and later a County under the Franks.
Playing steal the hat and run!
It became a Free City-State in the 12th century.
More goofing around…check out the close up in the next photo.
The tower is 230ft high. The basement was built in the 12th century, whereas the upper part of the tower was added in the 14th century.
Every self-respecting European town seems to have a picturesque clock tower….although Prague’s clock tower is the best of all!
Vicenza voluntarily came under the dominion of the Republic of Venice in the early 15th century, and then enjoyed a long period of prosperity.
The architecture around the city was stunning!
In the 16th century the architect Andrea Palladio turned Vicenza into a treasure of Renaissance architecture. His name is everywhere in the city!
You can see the Venetian influence.
In the late 18th century Vicenza passed under Napoleanic rule.
Later, Vicenza passed to the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Nate delighted this street performer by insisting that we give him a coin!
In the 19th century Vicenza joined the Kingdom of Italy.
There were pallazos (palacial mansions belonging to the nobility) scattered throughout the city…this is one of them.
I hope this post will inspire anyone traveling in this area to make time to see this beautiful city…I’m glad we did!
global nomad family 