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| The Venetian maritime empire
survived challenges by rival Genoa, but eventually succumbed to persistent
Turkish expansion. By the early 15th century, Venice finally got
around to conquering a large portion of the Italian hinterland, ruling
this region (known thereafter as the Veneto) for almost
three centuries. In every city Venetians left their mark –
literally – in the form of the winged lion representing their patron
saint. |
| Architecture was another unifying element in the 16th-century
Veneto. Andrea Palladio
built churches, palaces, & country villas throughout the region, especially in
and around Vicenza. Palladio established a distinctive
late-Renaissance style forever afterwards associated with his name. You
might recognize Palladian designs in such American edifices as Monticello
& the White House. |
| The architecture of Venice
itself offers a completely different perspective. Most well-to-do
residences were designed to face onto canals, with very narrow facades
favoring the excesses of the Gothic and Baroque periods. Of course,
there are no driveways or parking lots, just docks to tie up gondolas and
motor boats! |
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| Craig was "deployed" to Vicenza
for three months in 2001, and the town became his base of operations for
exploring northern Italy. |
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An ancient Roman amphitheater graces the home town of Romeo &
Giulietta
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Famous for its Italian brandy (grappa) & Palladian bridge
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We passed through the Veneto during our trip to the
Dolomites in August 2007. We
visited Belluno and Feltre en route to Trento, and stopped in Padova on the way
back to Venice.
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| Belluno — which sits on a spur
above the confluence of the Piave and Ardo rivers — takes its name
from a Celtic word meaning "bright rock". |
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Absorbed by the
Venetian Republic in 1404, Belluno enjoyed prosperity as a
supplier of metals and timber. |
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The famous Renaissance painter Titian was born near Belluno in the late
15th century. |
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| Feltre lays along the
Via Claudia
Augusta, a Roman road laid out through the Alps between 15 BC and 47
AD. |
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After the collapse of the Roman Empire, Feltre was sacked by various
barbarian tribes in the 6th century. |
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The city came under Venetian control in 1404. |
Feltre was rebuilt
after Hapsburg troops again sacked the city in 1510. |
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| Few traces remain of Padova's early Roman
history; it was destroyed by the Lombards in the 7th century. |
Padova became an independent city-state in
the 11th century, but joined the Venetian Republic in 1405. |
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Padova's Basilica of
St. Anthony remains one of the most important pilgrimage churches
in Italy. |
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| Padova is also home to
the second-oldest university in Italy, founded in 1222.
Among its students was Nicolaus Copernicus, and its professors
included Galileo Galilee. |
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Padova boasts an impressive
artistic heritage, including frescoes by Giotto and Mantegna, and
sculptures by Donatello. |
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This page was first published 23 June
2001,
and last
updated 17 August 2008.
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