When I first saw the Basilica Palladiana from Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza, Italy, what struck me was how different it looked from every angle. Walk around it and you’ll see — the white marble loggias create constantly shifting perspectives as you move. The real surprise came when I went inside: it’s essentially a massive empty hall. Despite the name, this isn’t a church. It’s a 15th-century civic meeting space wrapped in Andrea Palladio‘s Renaissance makeover, now functioning primarily as an exhibition venue.
Quick overview
Basilica Palladiana costs €6 for full admission (exhibition plus monument access), with reduced tickets at €4 for students under 25, FAI members, and certain card holders. Children under 18 enter free. The Basilica opens Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm, with last entry at 5:30pm. Closed Mondays, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views over Vicenza’s historic centre and the Veneto hills.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| €6 adult | Tue-Sun 10am-6pm | Piazza dei Signori, 36100 Vicenza | Under 18s | 5:30pm |
How much does the Basilica Palladiana cost?
The pricing covers both the building itself and temporary exhibitions held inside the vast hall.
| Ticket type | Price | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Full | €6 | Adults (exhibition and monument) |
| Reduced | €4 | Students under 25 with university ID, FAI members, Touring Club Italiano, ISIC, CTG, Italia Nostra |
| Free | €0 | Under 18s, teachers with school groups, disabled visitors and companions, ICOM members, guides, journalists, military |
The Vicenza Gold Card (€22) includes the Basilica plus 10 other attractions: Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo Chiericati Civic Museum, Natural History Museum, Santa Corona Church, Palazzo Thiene Galleries, Diocesan Museum, Palladio Museum, Gallerie d’Italia, Jewellery Museum, and Resistance Museum. The Vicenza Silver Card (€17) lets you choose 4 attractions from the same list. If you’re visiting multiple sites, these cards offer significant savings.
Why book the Palladian Classic Vicenza 1-Day experience?
- Discover UNESCO World Heritage architecture: Explore Vicenza’s elegant buildings designed by Andrea Palladio, one of history’s most influential architects.
- Visit iconic landmarks: See sights such as the Palladian Basilica, Teatro Olimpico and other masterpieces that define Vicenza’s historic centre.
- Expert guide commentary: Learn about Palladio’s life, architectural style and legacy in a city shaped by his vision.
- Comfortable full-day itinerary: A well-paced tour that covers key attractions and gives context to Vicenza’s artistic and cultural heritage.
- Perfect for art and history lovers: Ideal if you appreciate Renaissance architecture, classical design and Italian cultural history.
Is the Basilica Palladiana free to enter?
Yes, if you’re under 18. Otherwise, you pay. There are no free entry days or donation-based admission. The exterior loggias — arguably the most architecturally significant part — can be admired from Piazza dei Signori without paying. Many visitors photograph the building from outside and skip the interior entirely, particularly when no compelling exhibition is running. The underground archaeological site Corte dei Bissari has separate pricing and requires advance booking.
What time does the Basilica Palladiana open?
The Basilica operates Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Last entry is 5:30pm. Closed every Monday year-round. Also closed Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January). During special exhibitions, hours occasionally extend — check ahead if visiting for a specific show. The adjacent ticket office at Teatro Olimpico operates the same hours and also sells Basilica tickets.
Do I need to book the Basilica Palladiana tickets in advance?
Generally no. Walk-up tickets are available at the entrance without queues except during major exhibitions or summer weekends. However, booking ahead carries a €1.50 reservation fee for individuals (€5 for groups of 10-25), plus 10% of the ticket price for online bookings. Unless you’re visiting during peak August or a blockbuster exhibition, save the booking fee and buy on arrival.
History
The Palazzo della Ragione — the Gothic building at the Basilica’s core — was built in the 1440s as Vicenza’s civic palace, housing law courts and government meetings. By the 1540s, the outer loggias began collapsing. The city held a competition for redesign, won by a relatively unknown architect: Andrea Palladio. His revolutionary solution wrapped the medieval brick structure in white Istrian stone loggias featuring his signature serliana (Palladian window) motif — triple arches with a larger central opening.
This 1549 commission launched Palladio’s international career. Construction dragged on for decades, finally completing in 1614, thirty years after Palladio’s death. The building became known as the “Basilica” in reference to Roman public buildings, not churches. It functioned as Vicenza’s courthouse and meeting hall until the 20th century.
After major restoration funded by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio (2007-2012), it reopened as an exhibition space. UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site in 1994. In 2014, Italy declared it a National Monument and awarded it the European Union Prize for Cultural Heritage.
What you’ll see inside
The ground floor features a vast rectangular hall beneath soaring ceilings — essentially one enormous room. The space hosts rotating art and architecture exhibitions throughout the year. When no exhibition runs, the hall feels notably empty.
The rooftop terrace (accessed via stairs) provides 360-degree views across Vicenza’s terracotta rooftops to the Veneto hills and distant Alps. A small bar operates up here.
The loggias — the white marble colonnaded corridors wrapping the building — create the Basilica’s architectural magic. The two-storey arcades feature Doric columns below and Ionic above, with Palladio’s distinctive serliana windows creating rhythmic patterns. You can walk through the loggias without entering the building.
The Corte dei Bissari archaeological site in the basement (separate ticket, advance booking required) reveals Roman Vicetia remains including a residential area reconstruction, a transparent glass floor over the original Roman road, and a Lombard burial with a golden cross. Spanning 150 square metres, it covers Vicenza’s history from Venetian foundation through to Renaissance.
What’s included with your ticket?
- Access to main exhibition hall
- Rooftop terrace with panoramic views
- Ground floor loggias
- Bar/café on terrace
- Temporary exhibitions (included in admission)
Not included: Corte dei Bissari archaeological site (separate booking required, €5), guided tours (contact authorised guides independently), Vicenza Museum Card (sold separately).
Things to do near Basilica Palladiana
Teatro Olimpico (200m northeast, 3 minutes’ walk) — Palladio’s final masterpiece and the world’s oldest surviving indoor theatre. The stage’s forced perspective creates an illusion of depth extending far beyond the actual space. Completed 1585 after his death. Adult tickets €12. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-5pm (September-June), 10am-6pm (July-August).
Palazzo Chiericati Civic Museum (400m east, 5 minutes’ walk) — Another Palladio design (1550) housing Vicenza’s civic art collection. Paintings by Tiepolo, Veronese, and Tintoretto, plus archaeological finds and decorative arts.
Villa La Rotonda (2.5km southeast, 30 minutes’ walk or 10 minutes’ drive) — Palladio’s most influential villa design, perfectly symmetrical with four identical façades. The template for countless neoclassical buildings worldwide, including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello in Virginia.
Santuario della Madonna di Monte Berico (1.8km south, 8 minutes’ drive or 25 minutes’ walk uphill) — Baroque basilica crowning a hill above Vicenza. Pilgrimage site with dramatic city views. The covered colonnade leading up contains 150 arches. Free entry. Piazzale della Vittoria beside it offers sunset views. Open daily.
Piazza delle Erbe (adjacent, 1 minute’s walk) — Market square immediately behind the Basilica, separated by the building’s bulk. Daily market selling produce, flowers, and local products. The Torre del Girone and several medieval buildings frame the piazza. Free to wander.
Practical tips
Location: Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza’s main square, in the historic centre. The Basilica dominates the southeast side of the square. Vicenza station is 900m north — a 10-minute walk through pedestrianised streets.
Getting there: Vicenza is on the Milan-Venice railway line with frequent trains. From Venice Santa Lucia: 45 minutes. From Verona: 35 minutes. Or from Padua: 20 minutes. The historic centre is compact and walkable. Parking exists outside the ZTL (limited traffic zone) — try Piazzale De Gasperi or Piazzale Cricoli.
Time needed: Budget 30-45 minutes if just viewing the building and terrace. Add another 30-60 minutes if a special exhibition interests you. Combined with Teatro Olimpico and a square stroll, allow 2-3 hours.
Exhibition quality: This varies dramatically. The Basilica hosts major temporary exhibitions throughout the year — some exceptional (Raphael to Picasso in 2012), others forgettable. Check what’s showing before visiting. Without a strong exhibition, you’re essentially paying €6 for terrace access and an empty hall.
Photography: Allowed for personal use. The exterior loggias photograph beautifully in morning light when the white marble glows. Terrace views are best in late afternoon. Exhibition photography policies vary — check signage.
Accessibility: Ground floor accessible. The terrace requires climbing stairs — no lift access. The archaeological site has a walkway with transparent glass floor sections.
What to wear: Indoor temperatures are comfortable year-round. Terrace can be windy. Comfortable shoes essential for walking the loggias and climbing to the terrace.
Crowds: Rarely overwhelming. Weekday mornings see minimal visitors. Summer weekends and major exhibitions attract more people but nothing compared to Venice crowds 70km away.
Combining attractions: If visiting multiple sites, buy the Vicenza Gold Card (€22 for 11 attractions) or Silver Card (€17 for 4 attractions). Cards are valid for several days. Purchase at Teatro Olimpico ticket office, Basilica, or any participating museum.
Architecture enthusiasts: Walk completely around the building to appreciate how Palladio’s loggias adapt to the irregular medieval structure beneath. The northwest corner shows this most clearly. The serliana rhythm never wavers despite the challenges.
FAQs
Is the Basilica Palladiana actually a church?
No. Despite “Basilica” in the name, this was never a religious building. It’s a civic palace. The name references Roman basilicas — public buildings used for administration and law, not worship.
Can I see the loggias without paying?
Yes. The exterior loggias facing Piazza dei Signori are public spaces. Walk through them freely. You only pay to enter the interior hall and access the rooftop terrace.
What’s the best time to visit?
Weekday mornings for minimal crowds. Late afternoon for the best terrace light. Check exhibition schedules — visit when something compelling is showing, as the empty hall disappoints some visitors.
How long did Palladio work on the Basilica?
Construction began 1549 and completed 1614 — a 65-year span. Palladio died in 1584, so he never saw it finished. His design was followed after his death.
Is there a café inside?
Yes, a small bar operates on the rooftop terrace serving drinks and light snacks. Views accompany your spritz nicely.
Is this worth visiting if I’m not an architecture enthusiast?
Depends on the exhibition. Architecture lovers appreciate the building itself. General visitors should check what’s showing — a strong exhibition justifies the visit, but the empty hall alone may disappoint. The terrace views are pleasant but not spectacular.
More Veneto travel
Other Veneto travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- What you need to know before visiting the San Nicolo church in Treviso.
- How fast is the Treviso to Trieste train?
- A guide to Verona for first time visitors – including the Torre dei Lamberti.
- Why it makes sense to do a Valpolicella wine tour from Verona.
- A guide to Padua for first time visitors – including the Palazzo Bo, Cappella degli Scrovegni and Orto Botanico.
