Vicenza

Today we explored another lesser known northern Italian city, Vicenza. There was no VoiceMap tour, but between Google research and lonely planet, we had a good plan of exploration. Vicenza is most famous for its Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio. He had a distinct style of grandiose palaces, and Vicenza streets are full of them. There is also the world oldest indoor permanent theater, modeled on the Roman and Greek amphitheaters. We were able to visit the theater, and we were the only visitors - the beauty of traveling offseason! The Olympic theater had very impressive sets on the stage, which utilized optical illusions to create a sense of distance and perspective. Very impressive for the 16 century! We then visited some beautiful church, which has a stunning altarpiece made of marble mosaics. Then we went inside one of the Palladio designed palaces which now turned into an art museum. There was a huge collection of Russian icons (a bit random, but it’s the largest collection outside of Russia) and stunning marble sculptures by an 18 century italian sculptor Fasolato the most impressive was the sculpture called The Fall of Rebel Angels which consisted of 60 intertwined human and animal sculptures. We then drove to Venice and checked in to a cool hotel near St Marco.Leia mais