The church in the distance is Sanctuary of Monte Berico and we could hear the church bells ringing out across the valley. They did have to compete with the cuckoo who was consistently calling for his mate!
And our hostess insisted we sit outside and watch the sunset each evening before moving in for dinner.
Our first evening we went to Monte Berico and this is the view looking back across the valley. The building to the left is The Rotonda which we visited the next day.
The view looking over Vicenza from the church - because of the haze we were unable to see the mountains in the distance.
The Sanctuary of Monte Berico
The walkway (and this was taken halfway down) turned left at the end and continued on down the hill - frescos adorn the walls and tell the story of Christ.
This is the road we walked down towards the villa where we were staying - we aren't sure where we would have gone had a car come along the road - or indeed what happens when cars meet each other - the road is not exactly straight and, as you can see, is very narrow.
The next day we visited the villa next door - it is full of frescos by I Tiepolo in the main building, which tell the story of Jupiter, and more in one of the other buildings which were done by Tiepolo's son.
The view looking back towards the church from the villa.
This is a statue of Palladio, an architect who designed the most amazing buildings in Vicenza, including the Rotonda.
Each of the four sides of The Rotonda are identical.
Hercules and the lion in the grounds of the Rotonda
Looking up towards The Rotonda from the road.
And the view back towards the church.
A typical staircase.
The Palazzo Chiericati - an art gallery and museum we visited which was also designed by Palladio.
And the Teatro Olimpico - a most amazing theatre, once again designed by Palladio and still being used 450 years later. For more information go to http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Teatro_Olimpico.html I was fortunate in having heard about the theatre in a lecture a month or so before we went overseas so did know a little about it.
A statue in the courtyard of the theatre.
On our last day we walked into the city square and watched the world go by while we enjoyed a beer.
The Alpini - part of the Italian Army - were holding a reunion in Vicenza - there were hundreds of soldier wearing their distinctive hats. We were fortunate to be in the square while a group were singing arcapello.
Hercules and the lion in the grounds of the Rotonda
Looking up towards The Rotonda from the road.
And the view back towards the church.A typical staircase.
The Palazzo Chiericati - an art gallery and museum we visited which was also designed by Palladio.And the Teatro Olimpico - a most amazing theatre, once again designed by Palladio and still being used 450 years later. For more information go to http://www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Teatro_Olimpico.html I was fortunate in having heard about the theatre in a lecture a month or so before we went overseas so did know a little about it.
A statue in the courtyard of the theatre.
On our last day we walked into the city square and watched the world go by while we enjoyed a beer.
The Alpini - part of the Italian Army - were holding a reunion in Vicenza - there were hundreds of soldier wearing their distinctive hats. We were fortunate to be in the square while a group were singing arcapello.
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