pop 115,000 dates back to 157 B.C.
Vicenza, located less than an hour west of Venice between Padova and Verona is a definite treasure hidden among the many popular destinations of the Veneto region of Italy. I've lived in Vicenza for over a year and a half and not only has it inspired me with its beauty and impressive architecture (thanks to the legendary architetto Andrea Palladio), but its been a great launching pad for accessing several other countries and the Alps.
A Unesco World Heritage Site, Vicenza is a great place to escape the furious tourist scene found in nearby cities like Venice and Verona and still find treasures around every corner. It's main street (Corso Palladio) is lined with beautiful buildings and is a perfect place to start your exploration of the city. The street stretches from the Southwest at Piazza Castello and proceeds in a Northeast direction ending at Teatro Olimpico and Palazzo Chiericati. Lots of shopping and usually a heavy local crowd can be found on Corso Palladio, especially in the early evening. You'll definitely want to veer off of Corso Palladio a few times with the Duomo (near the southwest end) and most importantly Piazza Dei Signori which is the heart and arguably the most beautiful and scenic part of the city. Its anchored by the magnificent Basilica Palladiana and also home to the clock tower. People watching, while sipping a spritz in Piazza Dei Signori is not that expensive and is a must do. A block or two further south past Piazza Dei Signori on Ponte San Michele is the picturesque "Love Bridge" (the name speaks for itself)running across the river and is pedestrian only. Back along Corso Palladio you'll finally end up at the oldest enclosed theater in the world, Teatro Olimpico, built in 1580. For less than 10 euros you can tour the theater and a host of other museums around the city.
Just outside of the city center is the most famous of Palladio's buildings "la Rotunda" located on Viale Rivera Berica. If you up for walking some, a very rewarding experience would be to follow the main road from the train station (turn right as your walking out of the station) and proceed by keeping right until you reach a big roundabout and a huge gate with a very tall set of steps. The steps lead to Monte Berico, a beautiful church on the top of the hill overlooking the city. If you prefer you can also take a bus from the train station, buy your ticket at the Tobacco shop inside the station or at the little machine just outside where you board the bus. Just look for the bus that says Monte Berico on it. Monte Berico is a fantastic way to see Vicenza from above, and you can continuing walking down the hill on the other side and run into the "Rotunda" which should look very familiar to Americans as many of our buildings we're designed based on this one. Its one of the most significant and important buildings in the world. You can tour it, but only during the summer.
Vicenza is a great city and its worth a day and an overnight stay to take it in. I would recommend arriving around lunchtime and staying overnight. You should be able to see the bulk of the city in this time.
Places to eat:
Pizzeria Vesuvio
Corso Andrea Palladio, 204 Vicenza
Great pizza, inexpensive and in a perfect location
Spaghetteria Al Fiore
Borgo Berga 15 Vicenza
Just outside the City Center on the road to la Rotunda. Lots of pasta choices here
Tutti Gelato
Contra Fraschi Del Gambero
Just steps from Piazza Dei Signori its known by everyone that lives in Vicenza as the best place for gelato. They aren't open late usually but hopefully in the summer that will change.
Places you may want to avoid:
Be careful around the train station at night especially. There have also been some issues at Campo Marzo (big park across from the station) at night time. During the day there is very little to worry about anywhere and Vicenza is overall a very safe city.
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