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Vicenza, City of Ancient Architecture and Beauty Marilena Dal Maso from Italy Photo: etmeyer / Eric Meyer Piazza del Signori is a marelous square in the heart of Vicenza. Photo: the bbp/Giulio Bernardi Basilica Palladiana in Vicenza, Italy. Most of the important historical buildings were designed by Andrea Palladio who was born in Vicenza. Photo: netNicholls / David Nicholls Moreover, in Vicenza's countryside there are magnificent villas which are worth visiting. This is where the most prominent Venetians used to spend their summers, farming their lands during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.   Can you imagine an ancient, aristocratic, and quiet place? Well, this is Vicenza, my hometown, whose historical district of is full of narrow streets, has an incredible quantity of beautiful Renaissance buildings, and boasts a marvelous square that is the heart of the city: Piazza dei Signori. Every time I have the opportunity to speak about Vicenza with foreign people, I realize that its fame is less than it deserves. Everybody knows Venice, Rome, and Florence, but only a few people know that icenza has to be gaken into special consideration for its important historical buildings, mostly designed by Andrea Palladio wo was born in Vicenza (1508-1580). Palladio is one of the most famous and imitated architects in the world for his style in Italian Renaissance architecture. It was during the Renaissance and the subsequent four hundred years in which Vicenza was under the protection of the Republic of Venice that the great buildings were constructed, making Vicenza famous throughout Europe and giving it the remarkable appearance which it retains today. Apart from its historical district, Vicenza is surrounded by beautiful hills and countryside where you can spend time walking, sightseeing, and having delicious meals in the numerous restaurants which serve typical foods and good wine. Moreover, in Vicenza's countryside there are magnificent villas which are worth visiting. This is where the most prominent Venetians used to spend their summers, farming their lands during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Vicenza is particularly attractive to people interested in art and historical masterpieces. In addition, for having fun there are classical and jazz music concerts, ballets, and theatre performances, mostly during the Autumn. It may be that young people feel Vicenza is not a place where they can have fun, but there are also pizzerias and pubs where contemporary music is performed, so they can have a good time there, too. I invite young people and everyone to come to Vicenza to get to know it. They should visit it in order to know, see, and touch the incredible contributions to art and beauty that our country made to the world. Return to: Travel the Globe Virtually | Home Page TOPICS Online Magazine - ©1997-2008 - Sandy & Thomas Peters - topics.mag@gmail.com