Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Padua, Verona &
the Dolomites
See why the Veneto's art treasures are strong
competitors to the attractions of more heavily
visited areas.
by Keith Bain
A
WINGED LION
,
THE SYMBOL OF ST
.
MARK AND THE ONCE POWERFUL
Venetian Republic, will be your constant companion as you tour the Veneto, the
region that lies just inland of Venice, and was once its proud vassal. “Leo” is every-
where, a reminder of how and why the region became as rich as it now is in great
works of art and architecture. Back in the days when the Venetians ruled trade and
the seas, such Veneto cities as Padua and Verona were carefully nurtured as cen-
ters of art. Their Venetian overlords made a heavy investment to glorify their pow-
ers by employing only the top “interior decorators” and architects—Giotto,
Veronese, Titian, Tintoretto, Tiepolo, and many more—to gild the
palazzi,
villas,
churches, and government buildings of the region. Their work speaks to the
legacy of abundance that for centuries defined the spirit of Venice, La Serenissima.
Of course, this region was important well before the Venetians took over.
Verona, in particular, has the nickname “Little Rome” for its abundance of classi-
cal ruins and fortifications that hearken back to an age when gladiators were
superstars and Christians were fed to the lions.
Enhancing the appeal of the great cities of the Veneto is the nearby mountain-
ous area of the Dolomites. Along Italy's border with Mitteleuropa, these peaks
inhabit a landscape so dramatically different from the flat Veneto that they might
as well be a million miles apart instead of just a few hours away by bus or train.
These mountains, separating the Veneto from the Germanic Tyrol, are a play-
ground for outdoor thrill-seekers and nature-lovers. Here, in and around towns
like Cortina d'Ampezzo, some of the best skiing and mountaineering is offered in
one of the finest Alpine environments on the Continent.
It's the combination of these elements—classical, Venetian, and Alpine—that
makes the region such a worthy destination for those who have already experi-
enced Italy's major tourism triumvirate of Rome, Florence, and Venice. If you
only have time for one or two of the sights in the region—perhaps in a day trip
from Venice—Padua should be your pick, for its lively college-town atmosphere
and exquisite frescoes by Giotto (it's also a quick 20-min. train ride from Venice).
Those who have more time should include Verona, one of the prettiest medieval
cities in Italy (and that's no small claim), which boasts the best collection of
Roman ruins north of Rome itself.
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