Day trip to Vicenza and Padova

Today we travelled by vaporetto, train, taxi, bus, tram and foot to Vicenza, Padova (Padua) and back to Venice.

Villa Rotonda, Palladio's most recognised creation, was our main destination in Vicenza,

No photography allowed inside but all the rooms are built around a spectacular frescoed dome.

Then on to Villa Valmarana "Ai Nani"

The villa is famous for frescoes by Tiepolo. The nickname "ai Nani" is due to the 17 stone sculptures representing dwarves, once scattered in the park, now lined up on the boundary wall.

Both villas are situated on a hill with great views across Vicenza and the countryside.

Vicenza itself  is very grand with Palladio's influence everywhere.

Then it was off to Padova and the Romanesque/Gothic Basilica of St Anthony which contains his tomb and makes this a pilgrimage destination.

But the main reason we left Venice for the day was to visit Padova's Scrovegni Chapel. The chapel contains a fresco cycle by Giotto, completed in 1305 after two years work, and considered to be an important masterpiece of Western art. Before entering the chapel we had to wait for 15 minutes in a small climate controlled room which limits each visit to just 25 people. We booked well in advance and it was worth it.

 The altar statues were sculpted by Pisano

When we got back to Venice the sun was out.