Piazza dei Signori
Square
Torre di Piazza
Vicenza: Piazza dei Signori
Magnificent centre with Palladio’s masterpiece
The long and extremely beautiful Piazza dei Signori is the centre of Vicenza. The many historic buildings around the square bear witness to the square’s importance for public life in the city. The entire square is dominated by the Basilica Palladiana, the monumental masterpiece of Andrea Palladio. The Basilica is flanked by the 80-metre-high Torre di Piazza. The beautiful tower dates from the 12th century and stands rather oddly in the square.
Opposite the Basilica there is the Palazzo del Monte di Pieta from the 16th century. It previously served as a pawn shop and its buildings frame the Baroque façade of the Chiesa San Vincenzo. On the north side of the square is the Loggia del Capitano, which Palladio began to build in the 16th century. It was the seat of the Venetian governor but was never completed by Palladio. The ornate figure façade deserves special attention. Finally, in the east of the Piazza dei Signori there rise two large stone pillars, on which the Redeemer and the Venetian Lion of St. Mark are enthroned.
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