Vicenza

On Tuesday, Maya and I skipped school/work again, and we all went together to Vicenza.  Now, first things first... I mapped everywhere we walked during the day (between about noon and 9pm), and it was 6 miles.  And Maya walked each and every one of them.  And didn't complain hardly at all.  Very impressive.

Vicenza is where the architect Palladia is from, so we saw many things Palladian.  I don't think it's my favorite style of architecture, but the city was very pretty, and pieces of it were very impressive.  Especially the Teatro Olimpica, which Palladia designed, but if I read correctly didn't see completed.  The sets behind the stage were super impressive, with great diminishing perspective packed into only 12m of space.  After we saw the Teatro, we walked out to some villas on the outskirts of town.  The one by Palladia should look familiar to many; the Villa Rotonda was the model for Monticello.  This building is considered one of the most perfect buildings in the world.  The second Villa ai Nani (Villa of the Dwarves) was not designed by Palladia, but I found it more beautiful.  Judge for yourself.