Vicenza

Vicenza is a medium-sized city in Veneto, in northeastern Italy, and the capital of the namesake province. The city and the surrounding countryside and hills are particularly famous for the many works, and particularly the villas, by Andrea Palladio; a group of Palladio buildings are a.

Understand
Vicenza is an ancient city. In 157 BCE it entered into the Roman Empire with the name Vicetia or Vincentia. In 889 it was destroyed by Hungarians, and in 1001 it became an episcopal stronghold. In 1404 it became part of the Republic of Venice.

The 16th century was very important for Vicenza because Andrea Palladio built several villas and palaces. During the 19th century, after the fall of Napoleon, the city was taken by Austria, but in 1848 the citizens rebelled against the Austrian government and in 1866 it finally became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

By train
The train station is located on the southern part of the town, at the end of Viale Roma. Piazza Castello and the old town are a 5-minute walk from the station. The station is on the line connecting Milan to Venice. There are also a number of trains to other major cities and destinations such as Bologna to the south, Bolzano to the north, and Trieste to the east via connections Verona, Padova, Venice, and Trento.

Trains to the towns and cities around Vicenza depart daily (times provided are for regional trains). The most common are to Verona (1 hour), Padova (25 minutes), Venice (1 hour 15 minutes). Trains also depart for Bassano del Grappa, Treviso, Castelfranco, Rovigo, Sirmione, and Ferrara.

Taking international trains from Vicenza is possible, but it could be slower and/or more expensive since the city is not a major station for train transit. Instead, it is highly recommended to book a train to France, Spain or Switzerland from Milan; Austria and Germany from Verona; and Eastern Europe from Venice. Book a separate (cheap) ticket to these cities and make your connection from there.

More info on Trenitalia. When booking overseas train tickets, make sure to ask for the "Smart" special deal, which provides up to a 50% discount. The deal is especially good for destinations in Eastern Europe such as Budapest or Belgrade, where tickets could cost as little as €15 one-way (instead of €50 and above). Trenitalia requires you to buy the ticket 7–15 days in advance, so make sure you plan your trip ahead of time. The website only accepts Italian credit cards, so your best bet is to buy your ticket at the train station.

By car
Vicenza could be reached via the following highways: A4 - from Torino, Milan, Venice or Trieste; A31 - from Schio, Asiago, and Bassano del Grappa; A22 - From Bolzano, Trento, Garda Lake, Mantova and Modena via Verona; A13 - from Bologna and Florence via Padova

A number of strade statale (SS), strade regionale (SR) and strade provinciale (SP) criss-cross Vicenza, and they are a great way to reach many of the great small towns that surround Vicenza. The roads going south to Colli Euganei through Colli Berici, to the northeast to Recoaro Terme, and to the northwest to Treviso via Bassano del Grappa and Asolo are particularly beautiful and highly recommended for those looking for drives through groves of olive trees, vineyards, hills, hidden valleys, and remote hill towns. However, it is not recommended for going to major towns such as Verona, Padova, or Venice. These roads are almost always backlogged with traffic and marred by seriously ugly industrial areas.

By bus
Vicenza is connected to other cities with a bus service offered by Ferrovie Tramvie Vicentine. It is a less comfortable service than train, but it can reach several places that don't have a train station. Some long distance destinations (such as Milan and Venice) are possible, but by and large the buses only serve the province of Vicenza and the immediate towns outside of it. The bus station is located about 100 m to the left of the train station.

By bicycle
If you are up for it, it is easy to reach Vicenza via the smaller roads listed above via bicycle. Cycling is a very popular activity in Italy, and many are even brave enough to attempt the alpine crossing from countries in the north to Italy. Stay on the secondary roads however, as it is not only illegal but incredibly dangerous to ride your bicycle in the autostrada. Also, do the trip from mid-Spring to late Summer as Northern Italy suffers very heavy fog during Autumn and Winter, and snow and ice conditions could be very dangerous and unpredictable especially in the mountains.

By foot
Vicenza's city centre is small enough to be comfortably explored on foot. The main road through the old town is Corso Palladio, which contains the best of the city centre's shopping as well as most of Palladio's urban palaces. The hike from the city center to Monte Berico is uphill but still not so strenuous, and the road circles around to Villa Valmarana ai Nani down to the entrance to the Rotonda. Although most recommendations are to take the bus to the Rotonda and back, this walk will get you to some of the best and uncrowded parts of Vicenza.

By bicycle
There are a number of bicycle rental companies in Vicenza as well as surrounding towns and cities that service Vicenza. For a listing of these companies as well as to book a bicycle rental, inquire at the Tourism Offices in Piazza Matteoti next to the Teatro Olimpico or at the Piazza dei Signori right in front of the Basilica Palladiana.

By bus
The city is well-serviced by bus. Times and schedules are posted on their website (in Italian only). The most important lines are #1 to the shopping malls and #8 to the Rotonda.

By car
Vicenza's city center is small enough that there is no need for a car if you only want to explore the city center, Monte Berico and the Rotonda. In fact, it is also not recommended if you are only staying within these areas as the ZTL (zona trafico limitato—no drive zones) is very strictly enforced, encompasses most if not all of the city center, and changes frequently and without notice.

However, if you are planning on driving around the surrounding country side to see the villas and go wine-tasting, there are really no other realistic option other than to drive a car. Car rental companies Avis and Hertz are both within a two-minute walk from the train station.

Landmarks

 * Loggia del Capitanio right in front of Basilica Palladiana on Piazza dei Signori. Also made by Palladio around 1571, but in red brick without any stucco. Built later in Palladio's career, this building's Neoclassical style stands in great juxtaposition to the Basilica across it and is a testament to Palladio's artistic development. Closed to the public except during exhibitions.
 * Teatro Olimpico anchors one end of Corso Palladio and is arguably one of Palladio's two great masterpieces. Teatro Olimpico is the oldest enclosed theater in the world, and is most noteworthy for its use of Renaissance perspective in a three-dimensional space. The façade is decorated with stone carvings, wooden statues, and painted tromp l'oeil to make it look like a busy street scene. The theater is open Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. There are two possible combined tickets that include entrance to the theater: the Palladio Card which includes entrance to many other Palladio buildings around town, or the Vicenza Card which includes entrances to civic museums in the city centre. It is also possible to attend performances in the theater, especially during the months of July (during the city's Jazz Festival) and October (during the Classical Theater cycle).
 * Chiesa di Santa Corona was built in 1261 to house relics from Christ's crown of thorns. Nowadays, it's most important possession are a chapel designed by Palladio, Veronese's Adoration of the Magi and Bellini's Baptism of Christ.
 * Palazzo Barbaran is the only palace started and completed by Palladio in the city center. The interior of the palace is decorated with frescoes, most noteworthy of which are the ones done by Zelotti. Open Wednesdays 10:00-18:00.
 * Criptoportico Romano One of the few remaining traces of roman Vicenza, these tunnels were formerly used as walkways between villas to protect the walker from the elements. Located in an obscure corner of Piazza Duomo. Open Saturdays 10:00-11:30 and every second Sunday of the month from 10:00-12:00 and 14:30-16:00. Entrance is free.
 * Basilica dei SS. Felice and Fortunato is one of the oldest structures in Vicenza. Built in AD 300, the church is one of the most important examples of paleo-Christian architecture in Northern Italy. Inside, mosaic floors and frescoes are lit by a singular rose window.
 * Palazzo Barbaran is the only palace started and completed by Palladio in the city center. The interior of the palace is decorated with frescoes, most noteworthy of which are the ones done by Zelotti. Open Wednesdays 10:00-18:00.
 * Criptoportico Romano One of the few remaining traces of roman Vicenza, these tunnels were formerly used as walkways between villas to protect the walker from the elements. Located in an obscure corner of Piazza Duomo. Open Saturdays 10:00-11:30 and every second Sunday of the month from 10:00-12:00 and 14:30-16:00. Entrance is free.
 * Basilica dei SS. Felice and Fortunato is one of the oldest structures in Vicenza. Built in AD 300, the church is one of the most important examples of paleo-Christian architecture in Northern Italy. Inside, mosaic floors and frescoes are lit by a singular rose window.
 * Basilica dei SS. Felice and Fortunato is one of the oldest structures in Vicenza. Built in AD 300, the church is one of the most important examples of paleo-Christian architecture in Northern Italy. Inside, mosaic floors and frescoes are lit by a singular rose window.

Museums

 * Palazzo Chiericati is possibly the most magnificent urban palazzo in Vicenza. Located right across the street from Teatro Olimpico, the palazzo's façade is strikingly decorated with a colonnade and a series of statues lining its cornice.  The interiors are not as magnificent, but it houses the city's picture gallery with works from the Tiepolos, Veronese, Bellini, Titian, and local Vicentine artists.  In the palazzo's main foyer, there is an amusingly unusual ceiling fresco - people and animals are painted from the 'natural' perspective.  The museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 09:00-17:00.
 * Risorgimento and Resistance Museum Located about a kilometre from the Monte Berico church, this museum traces Vicenza's involvement in Italy's unification in the 19th century. Open Tuesdays to Sundays 09:00-13:00 and 14:15-17:00.
 * Museo Diocesano contains artifacts and treasures from the nearby Duomo, archaeological finds chronicling the long history of Catholicism in Vicenza and oddly enough, a very big display of marble balls. Open Tuesdays to Fridays 15:30-19:00.
 * Museo Diocesano contains artifacts and treasures from the nearby Duomo, archaeological finds chronicling the long history of Catholicism in Vicenza and oddly enough, a very big display of marble balls. Open Tuesdays to Fridays 15:30-19:00.

Piazze (squares)

 * Piazza dei Signori The city's main square and its love letter to Palladio.
 * Piazza Castello The main entrance to the city and the main terminal for bus within the city walls. Also contains Palladio's incomplete Palazzo Porto.
 * Piazzale della Vittoria Right outside il Santuario di Monte Berico, affording the best panoramic view of the city. Especially pretty on a clear day with views of the surrounding prealpine and alpine mountains protecting the city from the north. The best place in town to grab a spritz and watch the sunset.
 * Piazza delle Erbe & Piazza delle Poste The area right behind the Basilica Palladiana and the center of the city's meager nightlife.
 * Piazza del Duomo
 * Piazza Lorenzo
 * Piazza Matteoti Location for Teatro Olimpico and the Palazzo Chiericati and a popular meeting point for locals.

Parks

 * Campo Marzo Contains a popular dog park and the town's luna park open during the first and second weeks of September.
 * Giardini Salvi Sculptures and the closest green space to the old town.
 * Parco Querini a pleasant park on the northern part of town and a good place to see tree blossoms in the Spring.

Do

 * Hike, bike or drive and explore the Colli Berici, discovering small towns, excellent wineries, and hidden restaurants along the way.
 * Put on your Sunday best and walk down Corso Palladio to join the locals in their daily passeggiata.
 * Grab lunch to go from il Ceppo or Pam and have a picnic on the base of Palazzo Chiericati's columns.
 * Print a list of Palladio's more obscure villas, hire a car, and go on a treasure hunt in search of Palladio's creations littering the edge of town.
 * Rugby Union: Rangers Vicenza Rugby were promoted in 2022 and now play in Serie A Elite, the top domestic tier. Their home ground Rugby Arena (capacity 800) is 3 km southwest of town centre.
 * Go for a spritz before dinner either at the base of Palladio's statue in Piazza dei Signori to people watch or in Bar Pellegrino at the Piazzale della Vittoria to watch the sun set.
 * Prowl around the flea market for good deals on unique finds (every second Sunday of the month).
 * Join the faithful on the 8th of September for a procession up to Monte Berico.

Learn
Unlike the nearby towns of Padova and Verona, Vicenza does not have university and thus, no significant student population. However, you can always do what the locals do and commute weekly and sometimes daily to nearby universities if you want to attend.

There are numerous language schools in Vicenza, such as Interlingua.

Work
Although Vicenza was one of the top performers during the Italian economic miracle of the 1950s and 1960s, and still one of the richest towns in Italy, jobs for foreigners are few and far between. Although leather and gold are top exports and computer manufacturing is big business, foreigners especially from outside of the EU Economic Zone have much difficulty finding a job in the private sector. The most viable form of employment is teaching English, which brings in foreigners from the UK, USA, and Canada. Nevertheless, opportunities are more likely in the bigger towns of Padova and Verona.

For Americans, one option would be to be employed through the Department of Defense either as a government employee or contractor working for the Army base located in the outskirts of Vicenza.

Shopping

 * Corso Palladio is the main shopping district in Vicenza, with the street lined with name brands such as Zara and H&M as well as local tailors and designers.
 * For the usual mall experience, Palladio Mall and the Piramidi Mall are both with a 30-minute ride from the city centre via line #1.

Local specialties

 * Grappa from Bassano del Grappa
 * Ceramics from Nove
 * Tocai wine from Colli Berici

Flea markets

 * Vicenza, 2nd Sunday of the month
 * Marostica, 1st Sunday of the month (08:00-19:00)
 * Lonigo, 2nd Sunday of the month (07:00-19:00)
 * Malo, 3rd Sunday of the month
 * Noventa Vicentina, 1st Sunday of the month
 * Recoaro Terme, last Sunday of the month (09:00-18:00)
 * Thiene, 1st Saturday of the month
 * Although outside of Vicenza, the flea market in Piazzola sul Brenta is worth the trip. Held on the last Sunday of the month, it is one of the biggest in Northern Italy.

Food markets

 * Camisano, every Sunday, the biggest in Vicenza province with specialties from all over Veneto as well as sellers of clothes, kitchen supplies, and everyday goods.
 * Vicenza, every Tuesday and Thursday
 * Bassano del Grappa, every Thursday
 * Thiene, every Monday
 * Montecchio Maggiore, every Friday
 * Arzignano, every Tuesday
 * Lonigo, every Monday

Eat
Although "cucina povera" seems to be more associated with Tuscany and the south than the Veneto, Vicenza's cuisine is deeply defined by the foods people prepared generations ago when Vicenza, along with the Veneto, experienced crippling poverty as a result of droughts, plagues, famines and wars caused by political machinations. For example, the local nickname "magnagatti" (literally cat-eaters) originated from a time when rumors started to circulate that the people of Vicenza, out of poverty and desperation, started eating cats. Although the truth behind the rumor is debatable, the locals' full acceptance of the nickname and pride in being called cat-eaters attest to the resilience of Vicenza's people as well as its culinary traditions. Although Vicenza now enjoys one of the highest standard of living in Italy, its cuisine is still rooted in basic preparations of what is typically considered lowly ingredients to make excellent dishes.

Some local dishes and specialties include:


 * Baccala alla vicentina - rehydrated stockfish cooked in milk and served with polenta. This dish is so legendary in Vicenza and Italy in general that there is even an official organization dedicated to its preservation.
 * Trippa vicentina - stewed tripe, similar to trippa alla parmigiana
 * Bigoli co 'larna - thick pasta cooked in a duck meat sauce
 * Risi e bisi - risotto made with peas from Lumignano
 * Risotto con asparagi bianchi - risotto made with the famous white asparagus from Bassano del Grappa
 * Torresano allo spiedo - doves cooked in spitfire and served with polenta

Other specialties include: sopressa (a type of salami) from Val di Pasubio, Asiago cheese from Altopiano di Asiago, truffles from Nanto, cherries from Marostica, and chestnuts and wine from Colli Berici. Although there are a number of good restaurants in the city center, the best way to enjoy local specialties is by finding locally-renowned but little-known restaurants in the Colli Berici area. The best way to start your search is through the group Le Buone Tavole dei Colli Berici.

Budget

 * Spaghetteria al Fiore Via Borgo Berga, 15. Small, unfussy restaurant serving big plates of pasta for €5-7.  The atmosphere is not sophisticated, but comfy.  Closed Wednesdays.
 * Pizzeria da Vittorio Via Borgo Berga, 52. Purportedly the best pizza in town.  Very limited seating and erratic hours.  Located about 100 m from Palladio's Arco delle Scalette.
 * Tutto Gelato Contra del Gambero, 26. Normally open until midnight on Summers, closed on Mondays.  The best gelato in Vicenza with a very friendly price tag to boot.
 * Ristorante Jin Gu Viale Riviera Berica, 447. Frankly, there are no good Chinese restaurants in Vicenza.  Except for this one place, which is fairly decent.  An almost 10-minute drive from Vicenza, don't expect much if you're from Asia, New York, or the UK, but expect a whole lot more if you've been searching for good Chinese around town and about to give up.
 * Bar Pizzeria Vesuvio Corso Palladio, 204. Cheap, decent, and open when other restaurants are not.  Try the fruit pizzas with apple or pear.  Also features cheap Vicenza cuisine.  Closed Mondays.
 * Bar Pizzeria Vesuvio Corso Palladio, 204. Cheap, decent, and open when other restaurants are not.  Try the fruit pizzas with apple or pear.  Also features cheap Vicenza cuisine.  Closed Mondays.

Mid-range

 * Venchi Corso Andrea Palladio, 54. Cioccolatiero in the city center also serving ice cream.  A chain gelateria, so if you missed it in another city in Italy you can always expect the same high quality from this one.
 * La Conchiglia d'Oro Via Bassano, 7. Close to the soccer stadium, this local landmark serves up good pasta and seafood for a good price.  Try the penne pasta with shrimp and a big plate of fish, shellfish and squid and die happy of seafood overload.
 * La Conchiglia d'Oro Via Bassano, 7. Close to the soccer stadium, this local landmark serves up good pasta and seafood for a good price.  Try the penne pasta with shrimp and a big plate of fish, shellfish and squid and die happy of seafood overload.

Local products
Like other places in the Veneto—and increasingly, the rest of Italy—Vicenza's drinks of choice are the spritz and the prosecco. Spritz is originally an Austrian invention, owing to the region's former status as a part of the Austrio-Hungarian Empire. Although there are as many versions of the drink as there are bars in the Veneto, the most common versions in Vicenza are made with prosecco, a splash of soda, Aperol or Campari, and a slice of orange. Spritz Aperol tends to be sweeter, while Spritz Campari tends to be more bitter. Prosecco, Italy's version of sparkling white wine, is cheap and common in the city due to its close proximity to the prosecco-producing areas in the northeast namely Asolo, Conegliano and Valdobiaddene. Much like champagne (just don't call it "Italian champagne"!) the best prosecco tend to be smooth, producing smaller and more refined bubbles. Unlike champagne, prosecco tends to be cheap regardless of quality. Both drinks are usually consumed as aperitivi, but it isn't uncommon to drink only spritz or prosecco on a night out.

Grappa is also a local product, with production concentrated in the northern hills close to Bassano del Grappa or in the Colli Berici. It is usually consumed as a digestif or as a coffee-fortifier ("caffe corretto"). It is a strong liquor, but there tends to be little binge-drinking associated with it among the Italians. Every fall, the city hosts Distillerie Aperte, conducting tours and tastings of the best distilleries in the area.

Although not as big as say production in Piemonte or Toscana, wine is still a major produce in the region. The two most important variants are the Recioto from Gambellara and the Tai Rosso from the Colli Berici. Both are labelled DOC, the Recioto receiving the highest and prestigious appellation DOCG. For those who want to know more about these wines, the Strada del Vino Colli Berici and the Strada del Recioto link many of the province's best producers and provides opportunities to taste local wines alongside local produce and local countrysides.

Nightlife
There isn't much in terms of night life in Vicenza per se, but the city is hardly dead on Friday nights and weekends. Although the city can get downright depressing on winter nights, spring and summer signal an explosion of merriment, when young people come out again and fill the city's bars and clubs.

In the historic center, the Piazza dei Signori, Piazza delle Erbe and Contra Pescheria Vecchia are the liveliest, with big groups of young people hanging around until late hours on weekends. Clubbing is an unknown activity in the center, instead concentrated in the SR 11/SS 46 intersection (about ten minutes from the historic centre). Although a great place for a night out, featuring lively and sometimes packed clubs and live music, caution in this part of town should be exercised due to a moderate rate of crime associated with drugs, prostitution, illegal cabs, as well as general disturbance caused by public intoxication. Nevertheless, it is a relatively safe place for a night out.

For English-speaking guests looking to make friends with local Italians, there is an English Speaking Hour every Thursday from 21:00 until closing. The location changes frequently, so check out the group's Facebook page for information. It is not unusual to make friends on a Thursday and find yourself on a hike or excursion with your new-found friends two days later.

Mid-range

 * Hotel Campo Marzio Viale Roma, 21, Vicenza. Tel +39 0444 545700 Fax.+39 0444 320495 Email info@hotelcampomarzio.it. Special Offers and direct Booking. The Hotel Campo Marzio, 20 m from the pedestrian zone and 200 m from the railway station, easy to reach, is the most central 4-star hotel in Vicenza with free parking. The Campo Marzio's position will allow you to discover the main attractions of the city. Monuments, museums, shops and restaurants are all within easy reach, including Piazza dei Signori with the Basilica Palladiana (500 m). Hotel Campo Marzio offers an Internet Point in the hall, and ADSL high-speed WiFi in all rooms. The reception, open 24 hours, is serviced by a multilingual staff, always available to make your stay as pleasant as possible.

Agriturismo
The agriturismo (or operating farms with a functioning B&B) movement is as popular in Vicenza as it is in the rest of Italy. The idea is that instead of a holiday rental in an urban area, vacationers stay and enjoy the Italian countryside as guests in these farms, which provide rooms as well as meals and tours to the surrounding countrysides. Accommodations range from simple rooms in converted farmhouses to grand rooms in ancient villas that dot the surrounding landscape. In addition to enjoying accommodations with friendly locals in a relatively bucolic setting, guests also get an opportunity to try local specialties with ingredients grown by the farm or by farmers in the surrounding area. For more information on agriturismo and to book a stay, click on this link.

Go next

 * Bassano del Grappa A beautiful small town 45 minutes north known for Palladio's wooden bridge, grappa, white asparagus, and Jacopo Bassano.
 * Marostica A walled town 30 minutes north known for its biannual human chess game.
 * Recoaro Terme A spa town an hour northwest in the middle of dreamy, mist-covered mountains.
 * Asiago A mountain city an hour and a half north known for cheese and miles of cross-country skiing lanes.
 * Pasubio The highest mountains in the Prealpi Vicentini, come here for remarkable World War I ruins such as the 52 Gallerie, fresh cheese from mountain-top malghe and sorpressa, the local Vicentine salami.
 * Folgaria The closest major alpine skiing resort, about 90 minutes northwest.
 * Montagnana A walled town about 40 minutes south that hosts a big prosciutto festival as well as a palio every August.
 * Colli Euganeii Padova's version of the Colli Berici, containing ancient volcanoes and ancient towns such as Arcua Petraraca (Petrarch's resting place) and the walled towns of Monselice and Este.
 * Cittadella and Castelfranco Small walled towns on the way to Treviso, with Castelfranco playing host to Giorgione's Pala di Madonna
 * Padova Giotto's Renaissance masterpiece, St. Anthony's cathedral, the first botanical garden in the world, and the second oldest university in the world. A great nightlife to boot.
 * Verona
 * Lake Garda, although Lake Ledro is as stunning with much less tourists, albeit much, much smaller.
 * Venice
 * Ferrara