Statue of Andrea Palladio in Vicenza.Vicenza
Vicenza is an old established town dating back to Roman times and was known as Vicetia. The Via Postumia ran through the area on its way from Genova to Aquileia. Sometime after 49BC Vicenza became a Municipium, a large governing town. There are few signs now of any Roman presence. The town is now linked with the famous architect Andrea Palladio, who was born in Padua on 30th November 1508 and who died in Vicenza on 19th August 1580. Palladio spent most of his life in Vicenza, apart from trips to Rome and other places to experience classical architecture and art.
Statue of Andrea Palladio in Vicenza.
Teatro Olimpico
The theatre was designed by Palladio shortly before his death and completed by his pupil, Vicenzo Scamozzi, to be inaugurated in 1585. It is built as a copy of a classical Roman theatre.
The scenery is simple but very effective. It looks very much deeper than it actually is.
Palazzo Chiericati
A palazzo in the centre of Vicenza designed in 1550 by
Palladio for Girolamo Chieriericati. Building started in 1551, was
suspended on the death of the client and subsequently completed at the end of
the 17th century. The building is now an art gallery and museum.
Market Hall or Basilica in Piazza dei Signori
The basilica was created in its present form by Palladio who surrounded a very ancient crumbling building. Palazzo della Ragione, with a loggia composed of a double row of columns. On the opposite side of the Piazza dei Signore he also built the Loggia del Capitanio, a meeting point for merchants and citizens. The loggia was the only part of the building that was erected. It now has a post WW2 building that replaced earlier buildings partly destroyed by bombing in WW2.
Loggia del Capitanio
Town or City Walls
I have not yet found a date for the
town walls.