Vicenza Unesco Heritage: the Palladian route

Thanks to the genius of Andrea Palladio, Vicenza and the villas have achieved world recognition, a status consecrated in modern times with the inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Moreover, Vicenza has a lot to offer from several points of view, not to mention the precious Christian, artistic and architectural heritage and numerous museums. Throughout the centuries, important characters have greatly influenced its story and growth, from Vincenzo Scamozzi to the Tiepolos, from Giangiorgio Trissino to Antonio Pigafetta, Goffredo Parise, Guido Piovene and many other writers and artists.

In the mid-nineties, the UNESCO, the UN Agency for Science and Culture, enlisted Vicenza and the Palladian Villas inside its prestigious World Heritage List with the following statement:

- Vicenza is an exceptional artistic creation considering the numerous architectural contributions made by Andrea Palladio, all of which are integrated into a historical context that gives the city its overall character

- The city’s architecture has had a strong influence over the architecture and urban planning in the majority of European countries and the world

and therefore, in accordance with the following selection criteria laid down in the Convention:

i) to represent a masterpiece of human creative genius;
ii) to exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design;

Read the offical article on the Unesco website

… but what is the best itinerary to visit the main Palladian masterpieces of the city centre? An enjoyable, simple walk suitable for everyone, starting from the Tourist information office in Piazza Matteotti, right next to the entrance of the Olympic Theatre.

THE PALLADIAN ITINERARY IN THE HISTORIC CENTRE

Download the PDF here or the GPX on All Trails here below

The itinerary is also available on OutdoorActive