There are 7 provinces’ in the Veneto region of Italy, so you can imagine that there are a lot of places to visit and sightsee in this area. If you are just visiting the area for two weeks or so, then how are you supposed to see all Veneto has to offer in such a brief time? Luckily, I will discuss the five must see’s, so you can plan accordingly.
As stated above, there are 7 provinces’ in the Veneto region which include the capital Venice, Belluno, Padua, Rovigo, Treviso, Verona, and Vicenza (Veneto). The region is northeast and “extends from the Dolomites to the Adriatic Sea, by way of an expansive range of hills and a valley furrowed by rivers, canals, and the Po River Delta” (Veneto).
As someone who has been to Venice many times, I would recommend going at least once. Possibly twice if you can. It’s a beautiful area and to truly experience going would be one of the highlights of your trip. I have been there at least 7 times and I love it and find something new every time. So that is why the first must see is all of Venice. The Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Basilica, Piazza San Marco, The Rialto Bridge is just a few of the sights to see there.
The second must see is in Padua. The Piazza dei Signori and Palazzo della Ragione. Meaning “Square of Lords and Palace of Reason” from google translate. It’s three adjoining squares and “have been the center of life for Padovani since the Middle Ages” with a law court that is known as “Europe’s largest medieval hall” (Rogers). Inside is “hundreds of fresco panels with astronomical, mythological, and zodiac themes. Also inside the huge hall, which was rebuilt in 1430, is a large 15th-century wooden horse, a copy of Gattamelata’s horse in Donatello’s famous statue in the Piazza del Spirito” which is also something to see while you are here (Rogers). I chose this as a must see because not only is it really longstanding, but it has much history and you will get to see some early culture from the area.
Verona, the city of the famed Romeo and Juliet is sure to bring tourism from all around. The third must see sight is located here. Arche Scaligeri is elaborate tombs with Gothic art inspiring it. There are five Gothic funerary monuments that are hard to miss. “They belong to members of the Scaligeri, who ruled Verona in the 13th and 14th centuries” (7 Top). This is the third must see because of the Gothic art viewing experience, which is beautiful and “considered some of the best examples of Gothic art in Italy” (7 Top).
Vicenza is about hallway between the cities of Venice and Verona. The fourth must see sight is the Teatro Olimpico, built by well-known architect Andrea Palladio. “Built of wood and stucco, this is a Renaissance adaption of ancient theaters. As you enter the building, be sure to notice its size, and be conscious of the distance you walk inside the theater” and take notice of the stage because it is actually an illusion to achieve the long street view, but the stage is actually shallow in size (Rogers). A place to see for yourself to understand the beauty of Italy’s architecture.
The last must see in Veneto is located in Belluno. A city protected by the mountains and is in peaceful nature. The Dolomites serve as a sight see and offers many sport activities that you can do on them like hiking, biking, skiing, and even golfing. The Dolomites are the last on my last for must see sights in Veneto because it also offers activities as well. As well as being in a “beautiful, quiet, clean, friendly small city with hidden romantic corners, good restaurants, an exciting “corso” a walkway where young people chat and meet each other in piazzas with outdoor coffee houses” (Fabian).
To end, Veneto has so much to offer in terms of sightseeing and activities. The region is filled with cities that have much to offer with its culture and sense of wonder with its hidden history. These five sights should be on your list to truly experience the region.
References
7 Top Attractions in Verona, Italy… Beyond Romeo and Juliet. (2013, March 19). Retrieved June 12, 2017, from https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/venice/day-trip-verona-italy
Fabian, E. (2012, June 01). Belluno, Alps and Dolomites. Retrieved June 12, 2017, from http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/veneto/belluno.asp
Rogers, B. R. (n.d.). 8 Top Tourist Attractions in Padua & Easy Day Trips | PlanetWare. Retrieved June 12, 2017, from http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/padua-i-vn-pd.htm
Rogers, B. R. (n.d.). 10 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Vicenza | PlanetWare. Retrieved June 12, 2017, from http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/vicenza-i-vn-vic.htm
Veneto. (2016, August 31). Retrieved June 12, 2017, from http://www.italia.it/en/discover-italy/veneto.html
