Vicenza, Bassano, Marostica

• Vicenza
• Bassano del Grappa
• Marostica

Vicenza

Vicenza shows many architectural faces: Roman influence in the urban planning, the fascinating juxtaposition of centuries-old streets, of bridges over waterways, of picturesque squares, and of buildings designed by Venetian architects.

Vicenza is known universally as the "cradle" of Palladio because of the incredible number of works the great architect produced here. Strolling around the city it is possible to admire Palladio's public buildings such as: the Basilica, the Palaces Chiericati, Valmarana, Porto, Bonin-Thiene, The Olympic Theatre and the "Rotonda".
Peculiarly:
- the Basilica, that here is the "Palazzo della Ragione", the building where justice was administrated, it is considered the Vicentine masterpiece of Palladio;
- the Olympic Theatre, the most ancient covered theatre, famous for its theatrical setting;
- the elegant Villa Rotonda set in an eye-catching landscape, the most famous villa by Palladio.

Strolling around the city don't miss the Palladian Loggia in the Salvi Gardens.

Vicenza is dominated by a hill which rises a short distance from the city's centre and upon whose summit there stands the Basilica of Monte Berico. It's worth a visit among all for the view you have on the city!

Bassano del Grappa

Bassano del Grappa is a city that offers many artistic works. Jacopo dal Ponte, Palladio, Marivali, Canova, are just some of the many artists who worked here. Bassano can boast an old well-established tradition in the trades and crafts. The streets of the old part of the city bear witness to this with their many shops, where one may stop and look at the famous pottery, the splendid creations of the jewellery trade and many other things.

The Ponte Vecchio also called "Ponte degli Alpini", was conceived by Andrea Palladio and it is the symbol of the city. The choice of wood as the construction material is an obvious one, since it is so much more elastic than stone and thus more suited to the river's strong current. The bridge has been destroyed several times, the last reconstruction being due to the worthy efforts of the Alpine troops in the post-World War II period.
Walk around the city and discover its elegant porticoed streets and splendid Renaissance buildings.

Marostica

A 14th century medieval centre, it preserves its city walls with merlons which connect the Lower Castle to the Upper Castle, with its extraordinary panorama. Marostica is famous for the game of "living chess", a 15th century costume event which, in the month of September every other year, re-evokes an old challenge between knights. The chess game takes place in the famous Castle square with the chess-board designed on it.