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The Lower
Po Valley, the eastern bank of Lake
Garda and the eastern Dolomites,
occupying what was once the Republic of
Venice.
Venezia
(Venice) stands on an island in a
lagoon at the northern end of the
Adriatic Sea, a position which gave it
unique economic and defensive
advantages over its trading rivals.
Much of the wealth generated was, of
course, invested in the construction of
monuments to the glory of both God and
the merchants, and Venice must be
counted as one of the highlights of any
tour of Italy.
The
city’s main monuments – the Doge’s
Palace, St Mark’s Square and the Bridge
of Sighs – have gained fame
through the innumerable paintings
representing them, not least by such
artists as Canaletto, but the whole
city is in many ways a work of art.
Away from the main thoroughfares, it is
characterized by little canals, small
squares (often containing remarkable
Gothic churches) and above all, since
it contains no motor traffic, by
serenity – the city’s ancient name
was ‘La Serenissima’. One of the
most evocative representations of
Venice must be in Thomas Mann’s book,
Death in Venice.
Note: The causeway linking the city
with the mainland can become very
clogged with traffic. Although there is
a large car park on the island, it is
often easier to park at one of several
near the north end of the causeway and
continue by foot, bus or taxi; there
are also trains connecting with boats.
The Venetian aristocracy built many
villas in the surrounding countryside;
some, including the Villa Pisani at
Stra and the Villa Valmarana
at Vicenza, are open to the
public.
Popular Adriatic resorts include
Lido di Iesolo, Bibione and Caorle.
The city of Padua is famous for
the great Basilica of St Antony;
St Antony himself was buried here and
it is an important pilgrimage site. The
city also contains works by Giotto (Scrovegni
Chapel frescoes) and Donatello. Nearby,
Abano and Montegrotto
provide fully equipped thermal
establishments for the treatment of
many rheumatic
complaints.
Vicenza is the birthplace of Andrea
Palladio, whose published analyses of
ancient architecture did much to spread
the Renaissance throughout Europe. His
buildings here include the Basilica
Palladiana and the Palazzo
Chiericatai.
Verona, historically associated,
among other things, with Shakespeare (Romeo
and Juliet and The Two Gentlemen
of Verona) contains a
well-preserved Roman Arena
(operas are staged there in summer),
and the lovely but austere Church of
San Zeno. This graceful city is
surrounded by a river and there are
many beautiful bridges, as well as
churches, squares and markets.
Cortina d’Ampezzo is Italy’s
best-known (but not most challenging)
ski resort. The Winter Olympics were
held here in 1956. It makes a fine base
for exploring the Dolomites in summer.
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