Northern Italy’s Top 10 Sights
Where to Go to See the Most Important Attractions
Getting off the beaten path is every traveler’s quest, but certain sights are almost holy shrines, places visitors simply must see, however big the crowds or long the lines. Here are the ten must-see sights in Northern Italy – the regions north of the Po River.
Milan: The Duomo – The third largest Christian church in the world and the height of the flamboyant gothic style, the great cathedral is impressive inside and out. Tour it from the crypt to the roof for history, art and views to the snow-covered Alps.
Venice: St Mark’s Square and Basilica -- Venice’s heart and soul lies in and around the Piazza San Marco. The Basilica is filled with treasure, and beside it the Doge’s Palace reflects the Venetian Republic’s finest hour. Around the square are arcades under which hide the city’s most fashionable cafes, where orchestras play in the evening.
Venice: The Grand Canal – Boat is the best way to see this watery boulevard, whose murky waters lap at the doorsteps of richly decorated palaces and flow beneath the arches of the Rialto Bridge.
Lake Como: Bellagio – The best views of the most beautiful of the Italian lakes are from the town that spills down a hillside at its center. Reach Bellaggio and other lakeside towns by boat around the southern part of lake, stoping at Villa Carlotta, Villa Balbianello and Isola Comacina.
Lake Maggiore: Borromean Islands – take a water taxi from Stresa and tour all three islands for their villas, gardens and a stroll on the tiny Isola Pescatore.
Turin: The Savoy Palaces -- When the Savoy rulers moved their capital to Turin in the 1560s, they immediately began building palaces that would turn the city into a glittering cosmopolitan showcase. Begin in the city center at Piazza Castello, then move outward to the others that ring the city: Castello di Rivolli, Palazzina di Caccia di Stupinigi, Castello della Mandria and Reggia di Venaria Reale.
Verona: The Arena and Old City – The First-century Roman arena is one of the best preserved, and sits in the middle of the walled town. A castle, several art-filled churches and other Roman sites complete the ensemble.
Padua: The Scrovini Chapel – Giotto’s most complete – and magnificent – fresco cycle covers the entire interior of the chapel in three rows of panels telling the story of Christ. The colors, recently restored to their original intensity, are luminous.
Vicenza: Palladio’s Works – Andrea Palladio revolutionized the way the world looked at buildings, and some of his finest examples are in his hometown: the Palazzo della Ragione, Loggia del Capitaniato, palaces along Corso Palladio, Teatro Olimpico and Villa Rotunda, the inspiration for Jefferson’s Montecello.
The Dolomites: Strada della Dolomiti – The Dolomite Road runs from Bolzano to Cortina, through some of the finest alpine scenery in Europe. Side trips by cable car, hiking trails or winding roads over mountain passes lead to even higher views.
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