A charming north-eastern Italian city (in the Veneto region). The inhabitants are rather unkindly dubbed mangiagatti (cat eaters) as the locals supposedly cooked up their moggies in times of famine. Better known, perhaps, as the home to some of the greatest buildings by that Italian master (and arguably the inventor of neo-Classical architecture) Palladio.
Vicenza is a sleek modern city in many ways, being a centre for textile manufacture and the computer industry, but the old heart remains, and very lovely too. Partly enclosed within medieval walls, the town architecture is a mix of Classical and Gothic. While embracing the 20th and 21st centuries, Vicenza hasn't been spoiled by them. The main street is the Corso Andrea Palladio (but of course), and Palladio's last palace, the Palazzo Porto-Breganze is on Piazza Castello. Sights include the Museo Civico, the Palazzo Chiericati, the Teatro Olimpico, and the Piazza dei Signori - with Palladio's awesome Basilica.
Other important buildings are the Duomo, Loggia del Capitaniato, and the churches of Santa Corona and Santa Stefano. Palazzi to see include Thiene, Barbaran, Colleoni Porto, Iseppo Porto, Leoni-Montanari. There are fine parks including the Parco Querini and Giardino Salvi. See too the Basilica di Monte Berico, Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza, the Villa Valmaran 'ai Nani' and La Rotonda.
To the left you'll find a selection of Vicenza hotels, just to whet your appetite.
See also Vicenza hotels (full listings) and our Vicenza hotel map.
