UNESCO - Our Heritage

Vicenza was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its exceptional collection of buildings designed by Andrea Palladio and the enormous influence his architecture had around the world.

UNESCO originally inscribed Vicenza,” City of Palladio” in 1994, under cultural criteria and in 1996 the site was expanded to include 22 Palladian villas across the Veneto, becoming “City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto”.

Palladio transformed Vicenza by introducing Renaissance buildings inspired by ancient Greek and Roman architecture into the existing medieval city. Rather than being isolated monuments, his palaces and public buildings became part of Vicenza's urban fabric and gave the city its distinctive architectural character. His villas throughout Veneto also demonstrate remarkable experimentation with classical architectural forms

Palladio’s work had enormous influence on world architecture. His designs became the basis of “Palladianism”, an architectural movement that spread throughout Europe and later much further afield. His principles influenced architecture for roughly three centuries, particularly in Britain and subsequently North America.

So UNESCO isn't recognising Vicenza simply because it is an attractive historic Italian city. Its importance is that Vicenza preserves an unusually concentrated body of Palladio's work, while demonstrating an architectural language that subsequently had worldwide influence.

The nomination process began in early 1993 and involved a committee of scholars and representatives of the relevant public administrations. A particularly important figure was Vladimiro Riva, a Vicenza cultural figure and long-time advocate for the city's heritage.

Giuseppe Roi, was instrumental in Vicenza securing UNESCO World Heritage status. The direct descendant or Antonio Fogazzaro, upon his death in 2009 he donated Villa Fogazzaro Roi on the lake of Lugano, to the Fondo Ambiente Italiano ; brother of Maria Teresa Ceschi a Santa Croce Roi, he was the uncle of the current owners of Villa San Bastiano Fogazzaro.

Giuseppe Roi was a highly influential figure in national and European cultural and business circles and was chosen as the president/coordinator of the committee to pursue UNESCO recognition, together with Vladimiro Riva, Achille Variati, then mayor of Vicenza, and other eminent representatives of Vicenza’s cultural institutions.

Giuseppe Roi had spent decades promoting Vicenza's cultural heritage, including serving as president of the Provincial Tourism Board and the Ente per le Ville Venete. That background helps explain why he was such a significant choice to lead the UNESCO campaign.

At Villa San Bastiano Fogazzaro we treasure our heritage and, when here, you will be able to understand why this unique villa attracts art, history, music lovers from all over the world, and you will experience first hand what makes this place unique.