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Vicenza: the story on HearLore | HearLore
Vicenza
The year 157 BC marked a turning point when the settlement known as Vicetia became a de facto Roman center. Before this date, the area had been home to the Euganei and Paleo-Veneti tribes during the third and second centuries before Christ. These groups eventually allied with Rome against Celtic tribes in northwestern Italy. The Romans granted citizenship to citizens of Vicetia in 49 BC, inscribing them into the Roman tribe Romilia. This city served as an important way-station on the road from Mediolanum to Aquileia near Tergeste. Three bridges across the Bacchiglione and Retrone rivers still bear Roman origins today. Isolated arches of a Roman aqueduct exist outside Porta Santa Croce. Despite its strategic importance, little survives of the original Roman city structure.
Medieval Turmoil And Venetian Rule
Magyar raiders destroyed the city in 899, leaving scars that would take generations to heal. Otto III handed over government control to the bishop in 1001, allowing communal organization to develop independently. The city joined the Lombard League between 1164 and 1167 to oppose Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. Ezzelino II il Balbo served as captain of this league. Internal factions known as Vivaresi (Ghibellines) and Maltraversi (Guelphs) created constant political strife. Ezzelino III drove Guelphs out of Vicenza and installed his brother Alberico as podestà in 1230. The independent commune later joined the Second Lombard League against Emperor Frederick II. In 1237, the emperor sacked the city before it was annexed to Ezzelino's dominions. After his death, an oligarchic republic restored itself with a grand council of four hundred members. By 1404, Vicenza came under the rule of the Republic of Venice, shaping its subsequent history for centuries.
The year 157 BC marked the turning point when the settlement known as Vicetia became a de facto Roman center. Before this date, the area had been home to the Euganei and Paleo-Veneti tribes during the third and second centuries before Christ.
Who designed the buildings that define the cityscape of Vicenza today?
Andrea Palladio transformed what had been arguably the most aesthetically lacking city in Veneto during the sixteenth century by designing twenty-three buildings that now define the cityscape. The Basilica Palladiana stands centrally in Piazza dei Signori where Palladio claimed it might stand comparison with any similar work of antiquity.
What industries make Vicenza the third-largest Italian industrial center measured by export value today?
Textile and steel industries employ tens of thousands of people across massive industrial areas surrounding the city while about one fifth of Italy's gold and jewelry is manufactured within Vicenza boundaries. Elite sectors include clothing factories like Diesel, Pal Zileri, Marzotto, and Bottega Veneta alongside Campagnolo headquarters for bicycle components and Dainese protective sports wear.
When did Allied bombings make Vicenza the most damaged city in Veneto during World War II?
Allied bombings made Vicenza the most damaged city in Veneto during World War II resulting in over two thousand civil victims during these attacks. Massive reconstruction efforts followed to rebuild infrastructure and cultural monuments after the end of World War II brought a period of depression caused by devastation from both world wars.
Why are inhabitants of Vicenza jokingly referred to as mangiagatti or cat eaters by other Italians?
This reputation supposedly stems from turning to cats for sustenance during famine periods like World War II when the region emphasized hearty meals made with fresh local ingredients instead of fish-based dishes. The inhabitants are jokingly referred to as mangiagatti or cat eaters by other Italians due to this historical survival strategy.
Andrea Palladio transformed what had been arguably the most aesthetically lacking city in Veneto during the sixteenth century. He designed twenty-three buildings that now define the cityscape. The Basilica Palladiana stands centrally in Piazza dei Signori, where Palladio claimed it might stand comparison with any similar work of antiquity. Construction on the Teatro Olimpico began in 1580 when Palladio died, though wooden scenes were completed by Vincenzo Scamozzi. Villa Almerico Capra, known as La Rotonda, sits just outside the downtown area. Palazzo Chiericati houses the city pinacotheca while Palazzo Barbaran da Porto contains the Museo Palladio. UNESCO inscribed Vicenza as City of Palladio on its World Heritage List in 1994. The site expanded in 1996 to include Palladian villas outside the core area, renaming it City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto.
Industrial Powerhouse And Economic Miracle
Vicenza ranks as the third-largest Italian industrial center measured by export value today. Textile and steel industries employ tens of thousands of people across massive industrial areas surrounding the city. About one fifth of Italy's gold and jewelry is manufactured within Vicenza boundaries. Federico Faggin, co-inventor of the microprocessor, was born here. The Gold Exposition takes place twice yearly in January and September, drawing international attention. Elite sectors include clothing factories like Diesel, Pal Zileri, Marzotto, and Bottega Veneta. Campagnolo headquarters for bicycle components and Dainese protective sports wear also operate locally. During the 1960s, small family businesses emerged illegally before becoming known as the miracle of the northeast. Huge industrial zones sprouted around the city with disorganized urbanization and foreign immigrant employment increasing rapidly.
War Devastation And Modern Reconstruction
Allied bombings made Vicenza the most damaged city in Veneto during World War II. Civil victims numbered over two thousand people during these attacks. The Basilica Sanctuary of Saint Mary of Monte Berico suffered ruinous destruction requiring restoration after the war. A prized silver model called the Jewel of Vicenza was destroyed under Napoleonic rule earlier. The end of World War II brought a period of depression caused by devastation from both world wars. Massive reconstruction efforts followed to rebuild infrastructure and cultural monuments. Today, the city hosts Caserma Ederle, home to the U.S. Army Garrison Vicenza since 1965. The European Gendarmerie Force was inaugurated there in January 2006. These military presences reflect the city's strategic importance in modern times alongside its historical resilience.
Cultural Identity And Culinary Traditions
Vicentine cuisine features game meats, cheeses, vegetables, and polenta cooked until golden and crunchy. Unlike Venetian fish-based dishes, this region emphasizes hearty meals made with fresh local ingredients. Sopressa vicentina, Asiago cheese, Marostica cherries, Nanto truffles, Bassano del Grappa asparagus, and Breganze Cabernet wine represent regional specialties. Polenta appears soft from the stove or grilled over fireplace embers, sometimes fried in meat drippings for texture. The inhabitants are jokingly referred to as mangiagatti or cat eaters by other Italians. This reputation supposedly stems from turning to cats for sustenance during famine periods like World War II. Over one million people from the province have emigrated between 1876 and 1976, creating a global diaspora of three million descendants. Today almost one hundred thousand citizens live abroad while immigration flows bring new communities including Serbians, Romanians, Bangladeshis, Pakistanis, Moroccans, and Americans.