Vicenza Italy is one of the wealthiest cities in Italy, partly due to the local computer-component and gold industries. The inventor of the silicon chip, Federico Faggin, was actually born in Vicenza, and in relation to gold, approximately one-third of Italy’s total gold is produced there. Add in the healthy textile production industry, and it is little wonder that your average Vicentino lives well.

However, computer components, gold, and textiles aren’t the only things that Vicenza Italy is known for; the local steel industry is also quite strong, and regarding tourism, much of the attention goes to the city’s historic architecture. Located 45 miles west of Venice, Vicenza was formerly home to Andrea di Pietro della Gondola, or Palladio, as he came to be known. The premier architect of the High Renaissance period, Palladio is also regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of architecture in general. His most renowned structures are found in Vicenza, and they are largely responsible for the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site listing.

Palladian Villas

Among the things that Palladio designed during his distinguished career were villas. Each villa design was heavily influenced by its owner’s wealth and social standing, and plenty of examples of these properties still stand today. They are part of the larger UNESCO World Heritage Site that is known as City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. Among the most renowned examples of Palladian villas is the Villa Capra, or Villa La Rotonda, as it is also known. Found just outside Vicenza, this villa strongly reflects the humanist values that were associated with Renaissance architecture, and many buildings have been modeled after it. Five renowned houses in Britain alone were based on the Villa La Rotonda. Two have been demolished. Those that remain are the Chiswick House in Greater London, Mereworth Castle in Kent, and Henbury Hall in Cheshire. Veneto, it should be noted, is the northern Italy region that Vicenza calls home. Hence the UNESCO World Heritage Site name of City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. In addition to Vicenza Province, other Veneto region provinces that feature Palladian villas are Rovigo, Treviso, Venice, Padua, and Verona.

Teatro Olimpico Vicenza

As far as urban works are concerned, none that are attributed to Palladio is arguably greater than the Teatro Olimpico. One of only three Renaissance theaters that remain in existence, the Teatro Olimpico was built between the years of 1580 and 1585. Since Palladio passed away in 1580, the project had to be completed by one of his students, Vicenzo Scamozzi. This was actually the first theater in all of Europe to be covered, and it hosts a variety of performances to this day. Vicenza visitors who are interested in enjoying such performances can get event information at the city’s tourist office. As a side note, not far from the Teatro Olimpico is another renowned Palladio creation that is known as the Palazzo Chiericati. Now a municipal museum, it is a joy to admire, as are the Venetian paintings that are found inside.

Vicenza Hotels

The Vicenza hotels can fill up fast, especially when trade shows are in town. On the other hand, when trade shows aren’t going on, some of the city’s hotels are known to close due to decreased demand. Because of these factors, Vicenza visitors who know where they want to stay are encouraged to contact their hotels of choice in advance. As for recommendations, stylish and contemporary hotels such as the G Boutique Hotel and the AC Hotel Vicenza can make for pleasing Vicenza travel bases, and travelers who are interested in a good hotel at a good price are likely to find favor with the Hotel Da Porto and the Continental Hotel. On the budget side of things, it is hard to top the well-located Due Mori Hotel.

Restaurants in Vicenza

The restaurants in Vicenza benefit from the fact that the surrounding countryside is largely used for agricultural purposes. Among the major agricultural products of the region are olive oil, cherries, wheat, asparagus, and wine. As for where to find restaurants in Vicenza, many are situated in the heart of the old city center. In other words, visitors shouldn’t have trouble locating a restaurant when strolling along the main tourist streets. Also worth noting is the fact that some of the Vicenza hotels include breakfast in their rates, so travelers often don’t have to worry about their morning meals while in town.