Vicenza seems to be just another Italian town with a historic city center. Its main street, the Corso Andrea Palladio, is named after its most famous citizen: the architect Palladio. In this street, there are already some of his palazzi. More grand is the Piazza dei Signori, the town’s central square. There’s a huge Basilica, a strange classical building which was meant as a meeting place and is now quite derelict. On the opposite side is the fascinating Loggia del Capitano which has many sculptures.

At the far end of the town is an inconspicuous sight at first, but a real treat: the Teatro Olimpico. This was the last building planned by Palladio, however, he died a few months after construction had started in 1580. Vincenzo Scamozzi finished this work that was aimed to fulfill the humanistic and artistic needs of the intellectuals of that time. The stage is a real masterpiece, you're just waiting for the moment that some ancient Roman actors will show up and start the play.

It had started to rain a little when I went on my way to visit ‘La Rotonda’, one of Palladio’s masterpieces just outside town. There’s a foot- and bike path that leads you there, a pleasant walk when the weather is fine enough. First you pass the elegant Villa Valmarana ai Nani. The second turn to the right is the way up to La Rotonda. It was already noon, so I knew then that I wasn’t going to make it: the gardens have very limited opening hours (the interior even more so). Unfortunately, I wasn't allowed more than a glimpse from the front gate.