n October 11, 2009 at precisely 5:53 a.m., a guy named Jack pledged his undying love for a gal named Lara by tagging a wall with his heart-shaped affection in teal-colored spray paint for all to see.

Problem was, Jack left his love note to Lara – still legible today – on a wall that was originally designed centuries ago by Renaissance master builder Andrea Palladio, under commission by the Republic of Venice for the city of Vicenza: l'Arco delle Scalette (the Arch of the Steps).

If you'll permit me to turn back the clock prior to that early autumn morning and Jack's foray into "landscape" painting, I can wipe the slate – not the wall – clean and we can begin at the beginning.

Located on the southwestern edge of the Centro Storico (Old City Center) in the Borgo Berga neighborhood, the Arch of the Steps marks another scenic route up the hill that dominates the scene – Monte Berico and its beautiful Sanctuario della Madonna di Monte Berico.

Originally designed by Palladio around 1576, construction of the Arch began in 1580 and was completed in 1595. The ornate gateway stands on the very spot where legend has it the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared before a peasant worker twice – first in 1426 and again in 1428.

Inspired by the grandiose buildings of ancient Rome, this triumphal arch – nearly completely destroyed during a World War II bombing raid over Vicenza – is everything one would expect from the master visionary, Palladio.

At the top of the Arch, sculptured by Francesco and Giambattista Albanese, stands the Lion of Saint Mark bookended by Leonzio and Capoforo, two protectorate saints.

Inside each of the two columns of the Arch is a niche depicting the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin – Mary on the left and the angel Gabriel on the right – by late-Baroque period sculptor Orazio Marinali.

The so-called "scalette," 192 stairs divided into 32 flights, formed the only access path to the Santuario until the construction of an 18th century, two-section, covered arcade made the hike up to Monte Berico much easier.

Unlike the Basilica Palladiana with its nearly $30m (USD) renovation, and the other spruced-up, iconic structures that dot the Centro Storico, the Arco delle Scalette really is in need of an orange-clad, highway cleanup crew to rid the walls along the steps of the unsightly graffiti left behind by Jack and other late-night scrawlers. But, despite the flaw, a stop at this Palladio-designed landmark – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is well worth it.

You know, maybe the city should just go in search of Jack and tell him to clean up his own mess. Chances are he's no longer taggin' on walls or hangin' on Lara.

Related Articles:
Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza; Monte Berico; Vicenza: The City of Palladio; Basilica Palladiana; The Little Village Atop the Hill (Castelluccio di Norcia); Norcia, Umbria; Piovene Rocchette, Italy; Northern Italy