Italy 2014: April 2014

April 29, 2014
April is the Month of the Military Child to honor the children who have to endure moves and separations. We surprised Vanessa and Benjamin by showing up to spend lunch with them at school.

David went back to work, and Cynthia, Patrick, and I went to a very nice restaurant, Da Remo, for lunch.

Italians love their bread! Butter is pronounced "burro."

After lunch Cynthia took Patrick and me to catch the bus to the City Center of Vicenza where we spent the afternoon.
Vicenza is known for its famous architect Andrea Palladio.
In 1994 Vicenza was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From a sign in the city:
"The city of Vicenza is of outstanding artistic value thanks to the presence of numerous architectural works of Andra Palladio, which were designed to fit into the overall historical fabric and form a whole with it. The city and the buildings of Palladio also had a strong influence on subsequent developments in architecture and town-planning in most European countries and all over the world."

The bus stop is in Piazza Castello; a statue of one of the "fathers of the fatherland," Giuseppe Garibaldi (not the composer).

We walked down Corso Palladio toward the Teatro Olimpico. We passed a Florist whose outdoor display included lemon and orange trees.

Palladio's Palazzo Chiericati, started in 1550, now houses the Museo Civico and art gallery. It is across the street from the Olympic Theatre (Teatro Olimpico).

Piazza Matteotti

The Theater was built in an old fortress which had been turned into a prison and powder
magazine. The arch is the entrance; the Tourist Info center is just right of the arch.

    Construction began in February 1580, and Palladio died a few months later; Vicenzo
    Scamozzi completed it. Scamozzi designed the seven streets to represent the Greek city
     of Thebes. The perspective of depth is incredible.

Some of the hundreds of plaster statues represent members of prominent local families.

These original wooden seats are covered with pads (on other side of rail) for actual

performances.

The ceiling is painted to look like sky (like Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas).

                  I love this detail on the statues.
                  Are these to hold up his socks or
                  shoes?

Next stop is Piazza dei Signori. "Vicenza's main square has been the center of town ever since it was the site of the ancient Roman forum." - Rick Steves

I am in front of the Palazzo del Capitaniato designed by Palladio in 1565 and built in 1571
to 1752. It is now used by the town council.

The town council must have sponsored an egg decorating contest for Easter.

Palladio's Basilica Palladiana where we saw the Monet exhibit

The 270-foot tower of the Basilica Palladiana

This was a great exhibit of landscapes by not only Monet but Van Gogh and others.

Statue of the great architect himself

Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata; cupola designed by Palladio

Construction began in 1482; was bombed in WWII and reconstructed

Walking back to the bus stop, these gates caught my eye. I am on the right.

I think this is private government property, but I just wanted a look.

It was worth it!

Near the bus stop- old city walls and tower

    This trip to the city center was our first experience on the bus. We had to wait at least
     thirty minutes for the bus back to Quinto Vincentino. We got off at a stop too soon and
     had to walk a far distance to the Gonzales house. On the way, we stopped at a grocery
     store and bought two bottles of wine before the store closed at 8:00. I needed a glass!

April 22 - 28, 2014
We have learned that the weather is not always perfect here. There are thunderstorms and rain that keep us from going on some of our outings, but that is why it is so lush and green here. We have been hanging out with the family and doing what they do. We go to the movies on post, shop, and help the kids with homework.