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Thiene
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THIENE
Thiene is a lively busy town of more than 21,000 inhabitants, and dates back to Roman times. It was developed around a "castrum" and in Medieval times was transformed into a castle to defend the village and protect the local church: "Pieve di S. Maria".
In 1281 the “Thiene Irrigation Ditch” was dug, and numerous craft workshops and craftsmen’s homes opened along its banks. A castrum, a castle and its parish church, a road and an irrigation ditch are those vital factors that gave life to Thiene. Its lucky geographic position and important road network for traffic from the Veneto Region, the Tyrol and beyond have all helped its growing prosperity.
Thiene became part of the Veneto Republic in 1404, which gave it the security and peace it needed to develop its economy and spread the arts and cultures. Markets, rural in medieval times and Free in 1492, then weekly every Monday, Festivals (St. John Baptist and the third Monday in October), workshops and stores all became the nerve centre for business for the town and larger territory.
Members of noble Vicenza families, middleclass merchants, artisans and professionals all invested money into buying, reclaiming and irrigating the land, trade, building work which would all change and enrich the appearance of streets, squares and corners of the town.
The old St. Mary’s Parish Church became the town Church, beautiful villas and palazzos were built with their own private chapels (Villa Porto-Colleoni-Thiene and Palazzo Cornaggia) smart noble homes, important factories and farms.
Thiene gradually grew over the years, showing its genuine spirit and cultural, artistic and social soul in the dynamic and busy area that surrounds the town.
Still today Thiene is a valid example of the Veneto model, being a reference centre for the social and economic fabric of the northern part of the province of Vicenza.
THE MONUMENTS
Piazza Chilesotti
Built by the architect Serlio between 1640 and 1650; the square contains the fountain with the coat of arms of the town and the Civic Tower.
Cathedral
Dedicated to S. Gaetano, it was built in 1300 and restored in 1630. The current appearance is due to the baroque period, with the dome and some internal fittings. It now houses the Sacred Art Museum
Rosary Church
Dating back to the XV-XVI centuries; inside it conserves canvases, frescoes and sculptures from the baroque period.
Villa Porto-Colleoni now Thiene
The villa was built in 1476 but incorporates certain buildings from a previous period. The XV century frescoes by G. B. Zelotti and G. A. Fasolo are very interesting. The stables built in 1710 by the Architect Muttoni are also worth mention.
Red house
From the XV century, now houses the Thiene Tourist Promotion Office. It has a lovely meridian.
Church of the Nativity
This building is from the end of the XV century, inside there are canvases, frescoes, sculptures and a sarcophagus from the same period.
Theatre
Built in 1905 it is a lovely example of Italian Liberty. It houses the Civic Picture Gallery.
Sanctuary – Convent Madonna dell'Olmo
Dating back to 1530 and restored in 1954, it conserves canvases, frescoes, sculptures and mosaics. The Cloisters are also very interesting.
Church of S. Vincenzo
Church from 1333, inside there are canvases, frescoes and a XIV century icon.
Villa Chilesotti Fabris
Late 1700 villa, with frescoes and sculptures. There are fountains from the same period in the park. The villa now houses the European Restoration School.
Church of S. Girolamo
1472 building with canvases, frescoes and altars.
Palazzo Thiene-Cornaggia
1470 palazzo with triple-lancet windows and external frescoes.
THE SURROUNDINGS
Grumolo di Zugliano
Church of S. Biagio, from 1000 cic, inside there are frescoes and a polyptych from the same period.
Zugliano
Villa Giusti-Suman (1400-1600). Inside there are frescoes and statues.
Lonedo di Lugo
Villa Piovene Porto Godi, built around 1514 and attributed to Palladio. The monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Villa Godi-Malinverni is the first villa built by Palladio. Inside frescoes by G.B. Zelotti, Battista del Moro and Gualtiero Padovano. A large park surrounds the Villa with a fountain and hanging gardens. There is an interesting Fossil Collection by Andrea Piovene that is on show in the Villa. The monument is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Sarcedo
Villa Capra Bassani was built in the XVII century by Orazio Claudio Capra in Neoclassic style, copying the Palladian models.
Villaverla
Villa Ghellini dates back to 1664 and is by A.Pizzocaro.
Velo d'Astico
Villa Velo Zabeo was built around the middle of the XVIII century and is surrounded by a large park with an Italian garden.
Carre'
Villa Capra-Filippi dates back to 1444-1446. It has a park with fountains and the S. Lucia Oratory is attached.
Montecchio Precalcino
Villa Forni Cerato is considered an early work by Palladio and was built between 1540 and 1545. It is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Caldogno
Villa Caldogno was built in 1570 by Palladio and conserves frescoes by G.B. Zelotti, A.G. Fasolo, A. Maganza and G. Carpioni. The Villa is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
THE FREE MARKET OF 1492
Market traditions in Thiene date way back, if we consider the historic quotes it seems that in 1259 numerous people went to the weekly town market. However it was in 1492 that, thanks to the merits gained on the Rovereto battlefield, the Republic of Venice granted the qualification of “Free market”, i.e. a considerable increase in trading was granted.
Every two years, on the first Saturday in October a very enthusiastic celebration is held with a realistic historic commemoration that began in 1992 to celebrate 500 years from the concession. Since 1997 however, on the first Sunday of October a Free Market of 1492 is set up. The people from Thiene and the surrounding areas are involved in a mix of work and fun; the event reproposes the ancient customs and flavours, reviving forgotten habits and recipes. The personalities wear refined renaissance costumes, designed and made by the volunteer dressmakers of the Historic Commemoration coordinated by the Thiene Tourist Promotion Office.
If you want to do any shopping, when you enter the Market the current currency must be changed at the money changers’ with the "colombine", ancient coins from the “Land of Thiene”.
A date with history, traditions and folklore that displays and exalts the entrepreneurial roots of this “Land” guaranteeing the visitors have a magic return to the roots.
FREE MARKET – OCTOBER 1492
First week in October
Historic commemoration and renaissance market.
Info: THIENE TOURIST PROMOTION OFFICE tel. 0445 369544 - Comune tel. 0445 804906
GASTRONOMY
It is very stimulating to lead tourists on a gastronomic tour of Thiene and the Vicenza foothills, with all the different culinary traditions. In Thiene one of the favourite dishes is without doubt “baccalà alla Vicentina” (stockfish Vicenza style). To taste this appetising traditional dish the Thiene Tourist Promotion Offices has been organising the “sagra della poenta e bacalà” (polenta and stockfish fete) in the last weekend of October for 37 years now. Every two years, in the second weekend of October the Dairy Show is held, which is now at its 30th edition, and is now known as the “Cheese and Quality farm food products Market”, which is supported by numerous exceptionally good side initiatives. Among the various desserts we should mention the “golden plait”, taken to Thiene in 1919 by the family head of the famous Signorini confectioners. Thiene people are also expert seekers of aromatic herbs: at the beginning of spring, they go to the nearby Breganze hills to gather the various wild herbs: “bruscandoli”, nettles, butcher’s broom, rampions, which are used to make excellent soups and risottos. In Zanè, during the Rosary Festival, the “bigoli con l’arna” fete is held.
In Zugliana they cook the Zugliana suckling pig, which was crowned with glory in the news in the 50s when the film “Senso” was being made by Luchino Visconti.
It is worth travelling a few miles along the road from Calvene to the plateau to taste the fresh cheeses and other dairy products made in the shepherd’s huts in the mountain areas. Among the Breganze specialities, the “Torresani” is worth mention, young spit roast pigeons. There is a large number of expert wine makers in the area, producing top quality wines from the centuries old vines, which are protected by the DOC wines association. In the wine cellars in the town and on the surrounding hills, the wine producers offer samples of vintage wines to lovers of the grape. There are numerous farm holiday complexes where you can taste the traditional dishes and delicious plates of “polenta and soppressa “ and “polenta and cheese ".
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