The art of history in Veneto

A trip to see the treasures of Veneto might easily commence in the beautiful city of Verona.

The Arena , the cathedral and the many monuments in Romeo and Juliets' home town

Ever since 1913, when Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida" was first performed here, Verona's Arena has provided the spectacular outdoor venue for a prestigious international opera festival.

Like the Arena, the city's Roman Theatre dates back to the 1st century A.D and still functions as unique stage for important theatrical performances. Close by, we find Verona's Cathedral which, after numerous alterations carried out over the centuries, assumed its present appearance in the 16th century.

Verona's Church of San Zeno is a veritable masterpiece of Italian Romanesque architecture. Other houses of worship particularly worthy of mention are the Church of San Fermo Maggiore and the Church of Santa Anastasia.

Important monuments built during the reign of the Scaligeri include the 14th century Castelvecchio fortress and the Arche Scaligere, where the imposing tombs of Verona's medieval ruling family are housed.

The realm of Palladio

From Verona we travel to Vicenza. Our tour of the city commences in Piazzetta Palladio, to see the statue of the architect responsible for Vicenza's elegant townscape and the Basilica constructed between 1546 and 1614 according to his designs.

Piazza dei Signori constituted the political center of the historic city. Here, the presence of Palladio can be found in the classically-inspired marble façades of the 14th century Palazzo della Ragione and the Loggia del Capitanato (1571 - 72).

The city's Cathedral, erected between the 13th and 16th century, lies within easy walking distance of the piazza.
Other Palladian masterpieces to be admired: Palazzo Chiericati, the Teatro Olimpico, and, in the countryside immediately outside Vicenza, Villa Armerico, better known as the "La Rotonda". Vicenza is home to some 23 buildings, awarded world heritage status by UNESCO

Obligatory detours: Montagnana, Este and Monselice

Before heading towards Padua, the final destination of our journey, there is a small town which merits our making a significant detour. Montagnana is one of Europe's most charming fortified towns, and the town chosen by Zeffirelli as the set of his film "Romeo and Juliet". Impossible not to be impressed by the massive perimeter wall complete with 24 hexagonal towers and two bastions built in 14th century by the Carraresi.

Este is characterized by an imposing perimeter wall and castle. Dominating the central Piazza Santa Tecla the town's 17th century cathedral contains a precious canvas by Tiepolo. Also to see: the Church of San Martino and the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Grazie.

Travelling onwards a further 9kms, we come to the town of Monselice, home to a castle comprised of the 13th century Palazzo di Ezzelino and the 15th century Palazzo dei Marcello. Villa Nani Mocenigo, the Duomo Vecchio, and the splendid Villa Duodo, all situated along the road leading to the Sette Chiese Sanctuary, are more than worthy of visit.

The city of Sant'Antonio

Important pilgrim destination since the 13th century, Padua's Basilica of St. Antonio is one of Italy's most important houses of worship, built in 1231 following the death of the Portuguese saint. The friezes on the main altar were sculpted by Donatello who, between 1443 and 1453 resided in the city.
The equestrian statue of the Gattamelata located in the piazza of the Basilica is another work attributed to the great artist. Close by, one finds the frescoes of the Scuola del Santo, a number of which painted by Titian, and the Oratory of St Giorgio: an ornate funeral chapel commissioned by the Marquis Raimondo Lupi di Soragna.

Witness the artistic genius of Giotto in the Scrovegni chapel

A great number of architectural masterpieces are located in the center of the city: the Palazzo della Ragione, the Cathedral, rebuilt in the 16th century according to the design of Michelangelo; the Baptistery, erected during the Roman era and transformed in mausoleum of the Carraresi; and finally, the Scrovegni Chapel, a small Romanesque-gothic church famous for its frescoes painted by Giotto.
One of the frescoes in particular, that depicting the Final Judgement, was to revolutionize painting in Italy and throughout Europe.