Trip to Italy: Chiesa di Santa Corona Day 3

 Well to be honest, the pinnacle of this day was by far not me going to Padova. Since, there was a run and two sights in Vicenza to keep it local. 

Run - Vicenza and Mount Berico.

I decided to kick the moning off with my run. I planned the route and I started going so fast to warm up that all I noticed was that kilometres were just flying by all the way until I hit the mountain or hill - not really sure what locals call it. I was excited and thrilled as I started going uphill on narrow alleys, surrounded by large walls. Then I suddenly caught sight of the arcades leading up to the top. This is it! I was playing my way up, taking some pictures and then halfway up the countdown began on my Garmin to start the 3 minutes of tempo. Nothing better than doing a tempo session uphill! I hit it hard and managed to stay efficient, at the end of the tempo, I reached the top and took a right to run out and check the view looking over the city. The Basilica of St. Mary of Mount Berico was definitely more glamorous than the view. This is a place where spiritual retreats are organized for those looking for moments of reflection or those on a pilgrimage. I only stopped briefly but would definitely love to come back for a longer walk. So peaceful and serene.

Chiesa di Santa Corona/ Teatro Olimpico 

Since I did not want to rush back from Padova, I decided to check the remaining two sights my ticket could be used for. I started with the Church of Santa Corona from the 13th century. I went inside and slowly started my tour, looking at the works of art all the way up on the nave. All of a sudden, an old man was checking if there were enough candles at the spot used for that and as he went on to check a light bulb, he stopped on his way. "Scusa..." before I could tell him, I didn't speak Italian, he continued. "Did you go up to the altar?" I shook my head and said no. "Well, you should! You can walk all the way around and it's truly miraculous!" 

"Grazie!" I said and obediently walked up and around it. It was pretty indeed but that part did not touch me so deeply. After that I kept my tour by myself, as I slowly admired the works of art and some 10 minutes passed, he came over and asked:
"Did you see the first one?" I shook my head. "You think Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet?" I nodded. "Well, no! That's a lie! It was Luigi da Porto and that's his tomb right there under the altar! Go, check it out!"
And I found the monument. Somehow after a semester dedicated entirely to the works of Shakespeare, I think I missed that info, yet I wasn't sure if I should believe him. Definitely like the aspect of the novelty. Just when I thought I was done, looking at the Baptism of Christ by Giovanni Bellini, he found me again. I really enjoyed this unintended and intermittent tour guide given by this man who was up and about his daily business in the church. 
"Seen the Adoration of the Magi over there?" I nodded. "Did you see the baby's face?" I shook my head. "Really? That is the point! You should! He looks like this - showing a smiling face - and do you know why? Because one of the magi is trying to give a kiss on his foot and see what Mary is doing? She is telling him to go away!" Amazed by his entertaining stories and ways of interpreting art, I walked over to get a closer look. The faces were weird and I think I misunderstood him as this baby is certainly not laughing but rather looks at the magi with a hint of disgust... Either way, thank you old man! You made my day!

Teatro Olimpico, 1585

It was the first indoor theatre of the Italian Renaissance. It was literally breath-taking. It would be hard to put any of these into words. Wooden seats were there like they were built yesterday. The stage was decorated by wooden and stucco scenes "representing the seven streets of the city of Thebes made by Scamozzi" for the opening originally but they were never removed. I just took it in and gave room to that whimsical thought of what if I could be anything I wanted for a day and would become an actress in a play in this theatre? Scenes in my world of fantasy came to life and I daydreamed for a while before I left.

Padova

A disappointment. From Verona, my legs were ruined, I was tired and impatient also not willing to pay the amount of money for one single sight in Padova that enabled to see 4 in Vicenza. In addition, I knew nothing would manage to top the experience of the church and the theatre. Okay, I have a little crush on Vicenza. After aimless walking and wondering, I had a coffee at Piazza Cavour and then headed back to Vicenza at 4pm.

Gusto Rosso, Vicenza

After trying a local enoteca (regional wine shop), I went over to Gusto Rosso, where I had my prosecco every night in Vicenza to keep out of my cold room and decided to have dinner there on my last night not at home. The service and dinner were both fantastic, I highly recommend it.