Majestic Vicenza
What’s not to love about the ancient city of Vicenza? A majestic city in northeast Italy. Vicenza delivers some impressive classic architectural delights. Known as Italy’s gold capital, the city has a history deeply rooted in gold jewellery production and is home to countless goldsmith workshops.
Vicenza’s artisans and craftsman are distinguished worldwide for their elegance, quality and style.
VICENZA was founded in the 2nd century BC. Located in the Veneto region of northern Italy, Vicenza prospered under Venetian rule from the early 15th to the 18th century. The work of Andrea Palladio (1508–80), based on a detailed study of classical Roman architecture, gives the city its unique appearance.
VicenzaORO is a key international trade fair for the jewellery industry that takes place twice a year, in January and September. The expo brings together over 16,000 trade professionals, major buyers, decision-makers, retailers and designers.
Vicenza is considered Italy’s 'gold capital'. About 1000 companies are scattered around the area. These businesses process half of the gold imported into Italy. Gold was first discovered and excavated in the 7th Century BC. The first written records of goldsmithing activity in the Vicenza date back to 1330 AD.
In the Renaissance period Valerio Belli (a goldsmith, medalist, engraver and friend of Raphael and Michelangelo) developed the craft tradition of the town, bringing it to greatness.
The goldsmith workshops of Vicenza were highly appreciated in the Napoleonic period. Only in the nineteenth century did large and small 'firms' begin to arise — family businesses, in the district that includes Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa and Trissino. These companies gave the jewellery tradition an international character. They distinguished themselves as masters of elegance, quality, creativity, originality and innovation.
