Vicenza

Vicenza is a city in northeastern Italy. It is in the Veneto region at the northern base of the Monte Berico, straddling the Bacchiglione river. Vicenza is approximately 60 kilometres west of Venice and 200 kilometres east of Milan.

Vicenza is known for the elegant buildings designed by the 16th-century architect Andrea Palladio. These buildings include the Palladian Basilica and the Palazzo Chiericati, now home to an art gallery. Nearby, also by Palladio, the Villa Rotonda is a 16th-century hilltop mansion with views of the surrounding countryside.

History[edit | edit source]

Vicenza was a prosperous city under Venetian rule, and its pride is the fine architecture of Andrea Palladio. Palladio (1508–1580) was a native of Vicenza and numerous of his impressive buildings are to be seen in the city. The most famous is the Villa Capra, also known as La Rotonda, a perfectly symmetrical building with Ionic columns and stunning views of the countryside.

Economy[edit | edit source]

Vicenza's economy is primarily based on industry and services. It is one of Italy's wealthiest cities, largely due to its industries, which produce textiles, steel, gold, and jewelry. The city is home to several multinational corporations, including the jewelry company Fope and the coffee machine manufacturer Elektra.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Vicenza is a vibrant cultural hub. The city hosts the famous Vicenza Jazz Festival and the Show of the Goldsmith, an international exhibition of gold and jewelry. The city's cuisine is renowned, with local specialties including baccalà alla vicentina, a dish made from dried cod, and risi e bisi, a rice and pea dish.