Learn about the life of Andrea Palladio, visiting sites in Venice and the Veneto, in the company of architectural historian Charles Hind, curator of the RIBA collection of Palladio drawings at the V&A museum
- Explore sites including Villa Godi, Palladio’s earliest country house, Villa Porto Colleoni, the most important 15th century villa of the region, and the famous Villa Rotonda
During our stay in Venice visits will include Palladio’s masterpiece San Giorgio Maggiore and his earlier work at San Francesco della Vigna, together with related sites such as the Palazzo Querini Stampalia and Palazzo Grimani
“The Tour Director was extremely interesting and informative”
“I particularly enjoyed the Palladian villas and the beautiful and peaceful countryside around Vicenza”
“Throughout, first class”
- ACE customers on a previous Palladio & the Villas of the Veneto tour with Charles Hind
Even five centuries after his birth, Andrea Palladio (1508–1580) remains one of the most distinguished figures in the history of western architecture. Born in Padua, Palladio trained originally as a stonecutter and mason in Vicenza, a picturesque historical town packed with delightful palazzi and public buildings.
Palladian highlights in the countryside outside Vicenza will include his earliest country house, the frescoed Villa Godi. We will also turn our attention to the sumptuously decorated La Rotonda, whose central dome (inspired by the Pantheon of ancient Rome) and quadruple porticos are amongst Palladio’s most imitated motifs.
A leisurely cruise along the Brenta Canal will take us to our second base, Venice, where our focus will shift to Palladio’s religious architecture: not just San Giorgio Maggiore, occupying its own island opposite the monumental Doge’s Palace, but also San Francesco della Vigna, Palladio’s first church façade. We will have the opportunity to take in Venice’s major sites – such as the Arsenale and the Rialto Bridge.
The Palazzo Querini-Stampalia, Church of Santa Maria Formosa and the Palazzo Grimani will be further highlights of our time in Venice. Although Palladio himself did not design the latter building, it was home to some of his patrons, and contains extraordinary 16th century interiors, despite being virtually unknown.
Our first five nights will be spent in the heart of Vicenza at the four-star Hotel Campo Marzio. We will then transfer to Venice for four nights at the four-star Hotel Ca’ dei Conti, close to St Mark’s Square.
10
£3865
PALL-23
