> Vicenza Guided Tours

Vicenza is world wide known as “Palladio city” and is one of the most important art centre in Italy.
The city was founded by the Romans in 135 b.C.. During the Middle Age the city was ruled by the Scala family from Verona. From 1404 until 1797 Vicenza became part of the Venetian Republic, four centuries of peace in which, the wealth produced by stabilty and economic growth was invested in the producion of a magnificent art heritage.
Thanks to the genius of Andrea Palladio, one of the most influential architect ever, the city, together with the Villas built in the surrounding territory, became a real open air architecture museum.
Palladio’s Basilica in the central Piazza dei Signori, the Olimpic Theatre, Palazzo Chiericati, Palazzo del Capitanio, Villa Capra, are only some of the works keft in Vicenza by Pallafio.
Palladio’s tradition was followed by Vincenzo Scamozzi and other architects until the XVIII century with the arrival of Napoleon.
Today, Vicenza, with its strong economic and industrial development is one of the wealthiest city in Italy.

Escorted Tours

• Half day Vicenza guided tour. The tour includes alla main sights of the historial centre and UNESCO heritage sites. The tour focuses on Palladio and the age he lived and designed such architectural wonders, as well as the earlier Venetian gothic and typical medieval styles architectures. The tour will include: Castello square, Scala family castle, Palazzo Bonin Longare, Piazza Duomo, Signori square, Basilica Palladiana, Palazzo del Capitanio, Palazzo Sesso Zen Fontana, Palazzo Thiene by Andrea Palladio, Cà d'Oro, Casa Cogollo, Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo Chiericati, Palazzo Barbaran Porto, Palazzo Porto Breganze.
• Half day Vicenza urban villas tour. This tour includes a visit to the two magnificent country villas that can be reached on foot, following the route that pilgrims walked for over 400 years, or with a short car ride from Vicenza town. Villa Valmarana with the famous frescos by Tiepolo. La Rotonda considered by many as Palladio’s greatest masterpiece.
  The tour also includes a visit to Monte Berico, with its majestic hilltop basilica, hosting a painting by Paolo Veronese, and panoramic view over Vicenza countryside.
• Full day country villas tour. The territory around Vicenza is characterized by the gorgeous Veneto villas, many of which designed by Andrea Palladio: Villa Godi, Villa Piovene, Villa Forni Cerato, Villa Pisani, Villa Thiene, Villa Poiana, Villa Barbaro and many others. With a full day tour Venice Tours and its tourist guides can design an itinerary to visit some of the most representative. Transport and English speaking guide is included. Villas opening days and hours vary so each itinerary has to be tailor made on customer's needs.

For further information on guided tours in Vicenza ans Veneto Villas, please write at Venice Tours:

info@toursvenice.com