Page 12 - Cork & Tee Sample Program Flipbook, 2018

Day 9: Vicenza and The Legacy of Master Architect Andrea Palladio. This morning, take the
train 45 min to Vicenza, where you will meet Wilma, our highly-knowledgeable Veneto guide,
for a day of touring in the Vicenza area. The elegant and prosperous city of Vicenza possesses a
refined air. Not only does it feature the imprint of Palladio, but it is evident that subsequent
architects paid homage to the master architect in their later designs. The area around Vicenza
features numerous villas building during the heyday of the Venetian Empire. The Vicenza
Venetian villas that are spread around the area make the province a constellation of works of art
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that celebrate the history of architecture from the 16 to the 19 centuries. More than 4,000 such
villas dot the landscape of the Veneto. Andrea Palladio, who designed and influenced many
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villas, was without doubt one of the greatest Italian architects of the 16 century. From 1540 to
the day of his death, he designed numerous impressive buildings that changed the features of
Vicenza and the greater province. Fueled by the wealth of Venetian merchants, Palladio was able
to showcase his genius as he created these very symbols of the refined civilization of the
Venetian empire. In December 1994, Vicenza, Palladio’s city, entered the UNESCO World
Heritage List as the Palladian villas in Vicenza are considered of exceptional universal interest
and value, and have had a great effect on world culture.

During today’s visit to the
Vicenza area, Wilma will lead
you on a walking tour of the city
and visits to two area villas,
which were either designed or
influenced by Palladio. Your
guided visit of the historic center
of Vicenza will include
admission to Teatro Olimpico, an
indoor performing arts theater
designed by Palladio that is one
of the very finest works of arts in Northern Italy in our opinion. At least, it takes our breath
away! The theatre, built entirely out of wood above the dungeons of the ruined castle Palazzo

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