Official Information
Official website: https://www.museicivicivicenza.it/it/bp/basilica-palladiana/la-basilica.php
Official tickets: https://www.museicivicivicenza.it/en/visita.php
Address: Piazza dei Signori, 36100 Vicenza VI, Italy
View on Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Municipal information indicates the Basilica Palladiana is usually open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission around 17:30, and closed on Mondays. Rooftop terrace access can vary, with specific days and times depending on the season and special events. Because opening hours and terrace access may change for exhibitions and other events, always confirm details on the official civic museums site or exhibition page before your visit.
The Basilica Palladiana is the architectural symbol of Vicenza and a milestone in the career of Andrea Palladio. Despite its name, it is a civic building rather than a church. The structure originated as a medieval town hall and market, which Palladio transformed with an elegant Renaissance marble loggia and a distinctive double-storey arcade. Outside, the white stone arches envelop the gothic brick core, providing a striking backdrop to the main square. Inside, the upper hall now hosts major temporary exhibitions in a dramatic open space, while the exterior loggias and rooftop terrace are well worth exploring for their views of Vicenza—the red-tiled rooftops, church towers, and the Berici hills beyond. The rooftop terrace offers unique close-up perspectives on Palladio’s design and panoramic city views, open according to specific schedules. The building illustrates Palladio’s adaptation of Roman classical elements to suit Renaissance civic life. Tickets for both exhibitions and terrace visits are managed on the MostreinBasilica site, and opening times may depend on these events, so it is wise to check in advance. Allow at least 45–60 minutes to see the loggias, the great hall, and the terrace, especially if there is a major exhibition underway. The basilica is centrally located in Vicenza’s UNESCO-listed center, making it easy to include in a wider itinerary of Palladian sites such as the nearby Teatro Olimpico and other landmarks.