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National Geographic
5 days ago
- National Geographic
This city in the shadow of Venice is filled with UNESCO treasures
About 40 miles from Venice's winding waterways and busy plazas lies Vicenza, an elegant Renaissance jewel. To visit Vicenza is to breathe in the genius of one of history's most influential architects, Andrea Palladio. Though born in nearby Padua, this 16th century architect made his study of classical Greek and Roman architecture central to the design style that later reached throughout Europe and across the Atlantic—a style that inspired Thomas Jefferson to design Monticello after Palladian ideals. Come for the architecture, but stay to explore a rich tapestry of history and gastronomy. From its museums full of fine art to its stately villas, Vicenza is worth the day trip from Veneto's more crowded destinations. Explore Vicenza's main piazza Piazza dei Signori is a beautiful starting point. It's here in the historical center that the city's heartbeat pulses outward with breathtaking views of Palladian Basilica and the adjacent Torre Bissara. The Basilica—not a church, but rather a town hall—features handsomely as the city's symbol and is one of its many UNESCO sites. Leisurely stroll through the piazza, found empty in early morning, or drink in the soft evening glow with an aperitivo at any one of the bustling bars lining the piazza. (Say ciao to these alcohol-free takes on Italian aperitivo classics) Piazza dei Signori is home to the Palladian Basilica, a town hall with rotating exhibits. Photograph By Toni Anzenberger/Anzenberger/Redux Today, the Basilica's spacious council hall now serves as the scene of changing exhibits, with admission to the terrace for views of the square. The rooftop bar makes for a magical viewpoint to watch the evening sun set. Tour Palladio's final masterpiece The year 1555 saw the formation of Accademia Olimpica, a group of artists and noblemen who shared an appreciation for the arts and borrowed inspiration from Greek and Roman ideals. Within this group, Palladio proposed the construction of what would become his last work and masterpiece, Teatro Olimpico. This architectural marvel serves as a beautifully preserved reminder of Renaissance ingenuity. Soak in the atmosphere of the world's oldest covered theater with one of many classical music concerts or jazz performances throughout the year. (Europe's city tours are better than ever—here's where to go) See fine art at Palazzo Chiericati A work of art itself, Palazzo Chiericati owes its appearance to Palladio, built at the behest of Vicenza nobleman Girolamo Chiericati. It was completed at the end of the 17th century from Palladio's own sketches and draws heavily on his study of classical Roman architecture. Today, it forms a stunning backdrop for the art collection within. A city museum, it contains more than 31,000 works of art spanning from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Before you exit, wander through the salons for a glimpse of the spectacularly frescoed ceilings on the main floor. The Chapel of the Rosary in the church of Santa Corona is made up of 34 canvases. Photograph ByClimb Monte Berico Challenge your lungs with a walk up the two sets of porticoes that connect the city with the Basilica of St. Mary of Mount Berico. More than just a sanctuary for pilgrims and sacred art, Monte Berico's hilltop features sweeping views of Vicenza on a clear day, best enjoyed from Ai Sette Santi's outdoor terrace. Tour Villa La Rotonda Villa la Rotonda exists today as the celebrated union of grace and geometry, prominently located on a hilltop position at Vicenza's edge. Visitors to this Renaissance home enjoy the abundance of clean lines, pure, unfiltered sunlight, and magnificent symmetry that justifies its designation as a UNESCO Heritage Site. One of 24 total Palladian villas in the Veneto, this estate provides an exemplary balance between agrarian function and self-glorification. Its public portion can be accessed with tickets for self-paced tours or with a private guide at various times throughout the year. Villa la Rotonda is one of 24 Palladian villas in the Veneto that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Photograph By trabantos/Shutterstock Where to eat and drink Caffe Pigafetta is named for Antonio Pigafetta, a lesser-known, but still famous, Vicenza local. This 16th-century navigator left his mark as the keeper of explorer Ferdinand Magellan's travel log, and his namesake cafe is the perfect spot to sit and jot down a few travel notes of your own. You'll need to squeeze through the cafe's jostling and cozy interior; a testament to Pigafetta's popularity among the locals. Order a shot of one of their artisanal coffee blends or try a velvety smooth mint or pistachio latte. Vicenza supplies not only a wealth of splendid art and architecture, but also a rich gastronomy scene. There's no better way to end a day of sightseeing than by having dinner at Angolo Palladio. Sit outside in the shadow of the Basilica or tuck into a cozy table indoors. Dine on upscale takes on Veneto specialties: Start with cured ham from Veneto Berico Euganeo and move onto bigoli with duck ragu. The star of Vicenza's cuisine is cod with polenta for a main course, expertly paired with one of many artisanal wines. (Explore the wilder side of Venice—with the help of its fishermen) Veneto Berico Euganeo ham is produced in the Veneto region. Photograph By Anika Buessemeier/laif/Redux Where to shop Vicenza shares notoriety not only with Palladio's architectural prowess, but also a long tradition of gold work. Roughly a third of Italy's gold work comes from 'the city of gold,' a history and craftsmanship you can learn more about with a brief visit to the Jewelry Museum, located just under the Basilica's archways. Next, shop for a glittering souvenir to purchase from the family-owned jewelers next door, right where the city's first guild of goldsmiths was founded in 1333. How to get to Vicenza Hop a train from Venice's Santa Lucia train station direct to Vicenza's only rail stop. You can book your roughly 45-minute journey on Trenitalia or Trainline apps. Once there, it's a 10-minute walk to Vicenza's compact city center. Alyssa Blakemore is an American freelance writer based in northern Italy, specializing in culture, history, and international relations.
Times
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Jeff Bezos's wedding would be better in Beverly Hills, says abbot
The abbot of one of Venice's most famous churches has joined the protest against Jeff Bezos's star-studded wedding in the city next week, telling the Amazon tycoon he would be better off marrying in a Beverly Hills mansion. Stefano Visintin is the latest local resident to complain about the planned three-day party for 200 guests, said to include Kim Kardashian, Donald Trump Jr and Ivanka Trump. One venue said to be hired out by Bezos is San Giorgio Maggiore, the tiny island facing St Mark's Square where the world's third richest man and his bride, Lauren Sánchez, are expected to hold a concert at an open-air amphitheatre with lagoon views. However, the island is also home to a 16th-century church designed by Andrea Palladio and presided over by Visintin, who told The Times he was concerned noisy protesters on boats would try to halt guests arriving. 'Bezos has plenty of enemies in Venice and they may all converge on San Giorgio Maggiore,' he said. 'People are free to hold parties, but this one is going to attract huge attention, a police presence and a protest that could get dangerous. Maybe Bezos could have picked a more isolated and controllable venue. Why not a mansion in Beverly Hills?' Visintin said he got an early taste of the tension to come when protesters scaled the church's bell tower last week and hung a banner with a red line drawn through the name Bezos. 'We will be forced to close the tower during the wedding. We do not want to close the church otherwise people will think Bezos is getting married in it, which is not the case,' the abbot said. The protesters who hung the banner and who have plastered Venice with posters criticising the wedding are a collection of unionists, students, activists against over-tourism and housing rights campaigners going by the name 'No Space for Bezos'. 'Bezos arrogantly believes he can take over the city and turn it into his own private party venue,' said Tommaso Cacciari, a leading member. Luigi Brugnaro, the mayor of Venice, strikes a more welcoming tone. He has dismissed the protesters as a small minority and said he is 'proud' the tycoon picked the city. His officials point out that celebrity weddings are commonplace in Venice, including George and Amal Clooney's in 2014, and celebrities flock in annually for the Venice film festival. Cacciari argued that Bezos was a special case. 'We are protesting because of his support for President Trump and his exploitation of Amazon workers,' he said. 'This is political.' The reported dates for the bash have slipped from June 24-26 to June 26-28, and Cacciari claimed the schedule featured a party at the Pagoda beach club at the Venice Lido on the 26th, the event on San Giorgio Maggiore the following day and an event at a 16th-century hall, the Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia, on the 28th. Cacciari, who is the nephew of a former mayor of Venice, accused Brugnaro of having a 'conflict of interest' over the use of the city-owned hall since it is rented out by a firm he set up before he was elected. 'We will be filling the canals that access the building with inflatable animals, like crocodiles, to peacefully block access, or at least show the billionaires that this is not Las Vegas,' Cacciari said. The protest has made headlines around the world and turned into a lesson for Bezos on how not to conduct public relations. As the tycoon's representatives tried to keep details of event secret, unfounded stories about the city's water taxis being block-booked and canals being shut by Bezos went viral. Recent claims by the Bezos camp that the wedding will use local bakeries and glass makers, thus investing in the local economy look like a late attempt to change the narrative. 'The mistake they made was believing they didn't need to explain and believing that Venice would be proud to host the wedding,' said Gianluca Comin, founder of Comin & Partners, an Italian PR company. 'Whereas Venetians actually believe the city bestows prestige on those who visit.'
