Palazzo Chiericati is certainly one of the most valuable buildings in Vicenza given its architectural grandeur, the wonderful frescoed rooms and the story that these frescoes tell. Palazzo Chiericati is one of Palladio's treasures and stands right at the end of Corso Palladio, in Piazza Matteotti.
The triumph of beauty that from the Hall of the Firmament, the Hall of Hercules and the Hall of the Council of the Gods on the ground floor, rises up to the floor with the Hall of Civil Virtues, the Hall of Trajan's Column in a crescendo of art and pure beauty. There are many other places in the palace that are absolutely not to be missed, such as the servants' rooms and the cellars.
Palazzo Chiericati is today the Civic Museum of Vicenza and is a pearl of art and culture to be discovered among stuccos, frescoes and many decorations.
The architectural characteristics of Palazzo Chiericati
Palazzo Chiericati shows itself with a majestic architectural presence and houses high quality frescoes and artistic merits. It is one of the tallest buildings in Vicenza and its structure certainly does not go unnoticed. Its appearance is defined by an unmistakable portico with Tuscan columns on the ground floor and Ionic columns on the mezzanine floor, and a loggia on the first floor, the piano nobile.
The top of the palace raised on a podium is crowned with statues and pinnacles. The continuity of the columns is interrupted to make room for a staircase that leads to the city square, creating an exemplary architectural continuity solution. The rectangular rear courtyard expands the space without interrupting the flow between inside and outside.
Antonio Palladio's project reflects the will of Girolamo Chiericati who in 1550 wanted to create a building capable of penetrating the urban structure of the city without going unnoticed, a building that could represent a manifesto of his city renewal policy for all to see. Upon Girolamo's death in 1557, the work continued with difficulty and a boost was given to the internal decorations under the supervision of his son Valerio. The construction of the building was interrupted and then resumed at the end of the seventeenth century by Carlo and Giacomo Borella , in the midst of the Palladian revival. In the 19th century the building became the property of the Municipality of Vicenza which transformed it into a Civic Museum.
The frescoes of Palazzo Chiericati
One of the most fascinating treasures of Palazzo Chiericati is located on the ground floor, where the Firmament room, the Hercules room and the Council of the Gods room stand out. The Firmament room , embellished with frescoes by Domenico Brusasorzi and Battista Zelotti, transports visitors on a journey through the constellations of the northern and southern hemispheres as they were known in the 16th century and which offer a fascinating glimpse into the Renaissance vision of astrology, between science and myth.
The Council of the Gods room , however, brings the Olympian Gods back to life, immersing visitors in a mythological context extraordinarily represented with breathtaking perspectives and plastic poses. The Hercules room narrates the exploits of the Renaissance hero par excellence, adding an epic touch to the artistic journey of the palace.
The main floor is another jewel of Palazzo Chiericati, divided between the sixteenth-century and seventeenth-century wings. The rooms of the Civil Virtues and Trajan's Column are respectively adorned with frescoes by Domenico Brusasorzi and Battista del Moro and create an enveloping atmosphere of beauty and history. The passage between the two areas represents an authentic testimony of the evolution of decorative taste between the two centuries, and offers a unique experience to be appreciated
Palazzo Chiericati is not only an architectural monument, but also the Civic Museum of Vicenza which houses a selected collection of Venetian paintings together with the works of artists such as Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo, which amplify the cultural experience offered by this extraordinary building.
In every room, among stuccos, frescoes, canvases and decorations, the history of Palazzo Chiericati emerges, testimony to a bygone era that continues to enchant today's visitors. A visit to this architectural masterpiece is a journey through time, a walk through the artistic and cultural vision of the Renaissance that extends into the future. Precisely for this reason, for those who want to visit Vicenza and all its wonders, it is advisable to book a stay in a smart and safe way .
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