ecently, the City of Vicenza threw open the doors to its iconic Basilica Palladiana and started welcoming the public inside, at no charge, to explore the rooftop and the wrap-around loggia (mezzanine). And, I took advantage and had one of the best walks imaginable.

View down to the Loggia del Capitaniato (c) – Vicenza, Italy

For me, it was a long-awaited opportunity to rise above the crowd with my camera and take a few bird's-eye view shots of my favorite spot in my adopted city – the grand and ornate Piazza dei Signori in the Centro Storico (Old Town Center).

Bird's-eye view of Piazza dei Signori – Vicenza, Italy

This piazza (square) was originally named the Foro Romano when the city was ruled from afar by the Roman Empire, then changed to Piazza Grande during the Middle Ages, and finally to Piazza dei Signori during the Renaissance when Vicenza fell under the scrutiny of the Signoria, the governing body of the Republic of Venice.

An aperitivo with a view – Piazza dei Signori – Vicenza, Italy

Today, Piazza dei Signori hosts the weekly Tuesday and Thursday open-air markets, fills the night with concerts in a variety of musical genres throughout the year, showcases festivals for just about every occasion, and is the epicenter for Vicentini out for a stroll or a pre-dinner aperitivo (cocktail) with friends.

Brick columns adorn the entryway into Loggia del Capitaniato – Vicenza, Italy

A rectangular square measuring 28-meters wide by 122-meters long, it's surrounded by architectural marvels including Renaissance master builder Andrea Palladio's aforementioned Basilica Palladiana and the Loggia del Capitaniato, along with Palazzo del Monte di Pietà, Chiesa di San Vincenzo, Torre Bissara and the Lion of St. Mark and Christ the Redeemer columns.

Torre Bissara rises above Piazza dei Signori – Vicenza, Italy

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Piazza dei Signori is the perfect place to begin getting acquainted with Vicenza, the "City of Palladio."

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