Villa La Rotonda
Villa Almerico Capra "La Rotonda"
Palladio's most famous villa, with identical temple-style porticoes on all four sides surrounding a central domed hall. It inspired the White House in the United States and countless other buildings.
Villa La Rotonda was begun in 1567. Palladio designed it as a country villa for Paolo Almerico, a retired churchman. It sits on a small hill on the southeast outskirts of Vicenza. The floor plan is perfectly symmetrical, with an Ionic-style portico on each side. At the centre is a round hall with a dome, decorated with fresco murals. It is regarded as the embodiment of the Renaissance architectural ideal, and Jefferson's Monticello and many British and American buildings were inspired by it. The gardens are usually open daily, but the interior is open less often (check the official website). Tickets cost about 10–12 euros. It is about a 25-minute walk from the city centre. You can take the 'Wanderer's Path' and visit the Villa Valmarana on the way.
Opening hours
Garden Tue–Sun; interior approx. Mar–Nov on Wed and Sat
Nearby sights
- Villa Valmarana ai Nani
- Basilica of Monte Berico
- Basilica Palladiana & Piazza dei Signori
- Palazzo Chiericati
- Teatro Olimpico
- Church of Santa Corona
- Vicenza Cathedral
- Corso Palladio