Vicenza

About

Settled around 300 BC, the growing Roman presence eventually assimilated the original Paleo-Veneti inhabitants, and by 157 BC the city was a Roman centre. After the fall of Rome, it faced a tumultuous several centuries, being destroyed, sacked and dominated as they tried to navigate Italian politics. By the 16th century, it was one of the most downtrodden cities of the Veneto, but Andrea Palladio revitalized it, leaving many outstanding palaces and villas. Among his greatest achievements is the Olympic theatre, widely considered the first modern covered theatre. The arch-faced Basilica Palladiana shows one of the first examples of what have come to be known as the Palladian window. So great was Palladio's influence that the city even has a Palladio museum housed inside a Palladio palace. If you ever tire of his works, the city's many parks churches offer beautiful and quiet spaces to escape to.