Vicenza Things to Do

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The main body of Torrione (the tower) di Porta Castello dates back to 1200, and battlements and the interesting hexagonal lanterns were added in 1343 by Bernardo Scannabecchi following instructions by Martino and Alberto della Scala (known as Scaligeri).

This is the most appropriate point from which you can start exploring the old core of the town.
Going along Viale Roma, away from the train station, at its end you'll find the entrance arch to the Giardino Salvi and Porta Castello which leads in the heart of the old core of the town.

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The look of the Torrione di Porta Castello from the Piazza Castello. This huge defending tower is a part of the massive town walls which circled the old core of the city.
Next to the tower there is the 17th century entrance to the courtyard of Palazzo Salvi. Porta Castello was one of the main entrances to the town in the medieval times.

This is the look of the back side of the huge Temple of Santa Corona. This picture is taken from Via Canove Vecchie, where the very convinient parking place is situated. In case you are traveling by car, I suggest you to search for this parking place where, more or less, you can find frre parkings rather then in other locations of the city centre.

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After visiting the Ducati dealership, we continued on our tour of Vicenza. Our next stop was to the top of Monte Berico and the Basilica di Santa Maria di Monte Berico. Built in 3 months (1429), the church was/is a shrine to the Virgin Mary because if built, she would rid the city of the plague. Located in front of the basilica is the Piazzale della Vittoria which provides a panaromic view of the city, mountains and surrounding valley.

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Wandering 5 minutes from the center of Vicenza you will find Teatro Olympico. In front of the Teatro is a quaint courtyard with some nice statues featured in a garden setting. This might be a nice place to rest your feet and take a few minutes to read about the history of this structure.
It took 5 years to be completed, 1580-1585, and they say that it is the oldest surviving enclosed theatre in the world. This was Andrea Palladio's last project, regarded as a brilliant masterpiece by this architect from the Italian Renaissance.
There is a fee of 8 euros for entrance, but you should ask about a late afternoon short presentation and then you can see it for less (2.50 euros)
Photos below show some of the peaceful garden.
Card Museums € 8,50 / reduced € 6,50
Schoolclasses € 2,50
Opening hours
Tue-Sun: 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Last admission: 16.30

Abbazia di Sant' Agostino is located on outskirts of the town, in Viale S.Agostino near the river of Retrone.
From 1188 to 1236 the chapel was given over to a lay of S. Bartolomeo. The friars found themselves in financial difficulties twards 1288, but it was not until 1319 that other friars were permitted to join them and restore the church. The church is in line with the style of the times, and the inside is a single large room with walls which were once all frescoed, as shown by those fragments remaining.

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The Basilica of SS. Felice and Fortunato is one of the most important examples of Paleo-Christian art in Northern Italy. It was originally built around 300, on a pagan burial ground, to hold the relics of two Saints Vicenza Felice and Fortunato, who had been martyred around 303.
Originally rectangular, the church was doubled in size and divided into three naves around the end of the last century. The Martirion was built in the 5th century to hold the remains of other local martyrs.
In 899 the Basilica was destroyed by the Hungarians, amd only the Martirion and a part of the outside wall left standing. It was rebuilt in the 10th century and was handed over to the Benedictine monks in 963.
In 1117 an earthquake struck, causing structural damage, and during the restoration work the crypt was enlarged, as was the Confessio which holds the remains of felice and Fortunato in a Greek marble urn. The upper part of the bell tower also dates from this period.

If you have already checked out my General tips then you will have noted the difference in the weather from my first visit. Also, the fact that most things were open.
Villa Valmarana was one of the things I wanted to view and, despite it opening one hour later than advertised at the local tourist centre, I finally got to see the inside story.
Then, as I read the signs, I realised that I had come upon not only Giovanna (Giambattista) Tiepolo, but his son as well.