GIORNATA DEI MUSEI

July sounded like a good time to start to explore the many museums, villas, and palaces that are in and surround Vicenza. We started our journey within the downtown area and then traveled to Villa La Rotonda so I could finally see the interior 5 years after first viewing the exterior.

PJ and I purchased a Biglietto Unico Museum card from the tourist information center right outside of Teatro Olimpico. The ticket includes entry for 3 days into 7 museums throughout the area for only 8 or 10 Euro! 

With these tickets you get admission into 
     Teatro Olimpico
     Gallerie di Palazzo Leoni Montanari
     Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza
     Pinacoteca Civica di Palazzo Chiericati
     Museo Naturalistico Archeologico
     Museo Diocesano
     Palladio Museum

Our first stop was obviously Teatro Olimpico. This theater is the last work by Andrea Palladio. There are still performances in the theater today, although there is no AC or heat, so they only perform a few months a year.

The original design was presented in 1580 and was approved; however Palladio suddenly died that August. Palladio's son completed the work and added the wooden perspective scenery. Due to the scenery being stationary [which limited its uses], the theater stopped functioning as the original intention and became more of an academic theater. Only in the mid 19th century did it become a performance theater like it once was.


The site was formally the old prison, inside of the Castello del Territorio.

Museo del Risorgimento e della Resistenza

The museo del Risorgimentoe della Resistenza has been around since 1893 and moved into the 18th century Villa Guiccioli in 1938. It is also adjacent to the "history park" which also connects to the Villa Rotonda through woodsy trails. The museum is focuses on the civic, moral, and cultural life of the region dating back to the Napoleonic era in Italy up to "the second world war and the fight for liberation." 

Museo Naturalistico Archeologico

The Museo Naturalistico Archeological is home to the natural and archaeological collections. The museum also holds outdoor movies in the summer months. The collections were transferred to this complex in 1991, which includes 2 cloisters and is adjacent to the church of S. Corona. 

The Palladio Museum

The Palladio Museum is located on the very street that PJ and I live on. The exhibit is within Palace Barbarano, the only large city Palace that  "Palladio could see fully realized both in architecture and decorative device." Here one can find Palladio's work, such as drawings, models, video, etc. The courtyard is also where they have events and concerts in the summer.

We still have yet to get to the other 3, but I am sure there will be a day for that eventually...

Villa La Rotonda

Also known as Villa Capra and designed by Palladio [although he passed away before it was completed; therefore there are some changes to the original design that his successor made]. Although this was not part of the museum pass we managed to squeeze this in on the same day and I was finally able to finally see the interior of the villa! Unfortunately, there was no photography allowed inside.

The plan is a symmetrical square that is located asymmetrically on the site with loggias located on all 4 sides. The asymmetrical placement on the hilltop allows for all 4 facades to receive some sort of natural sunlight throughout the day. Each loggia relates to the landscape it faces by slightly varying attributes, such as the width of the steps, retaining walls, etc.

Construction began in 1567 and by 1569/1571 Paolo Almerico [the original owner] had already moved in even though it still was not complete. The Villa Rotonda has changed hands several times and, beginning in 1986, is now open to the public.