The consortium for promoting tourism in Vicenza is launching DISOVER PALLADIO APP: the first time iPads and iPhones have been used for recounting, in a contemporary and up-to-date way, both the most influential architect of the past 500 years, Palladio, and his territory.
This is an app bursting with content and historical and architectural references, all integrated with ideas for tourism, wine and food, and creative industries.
DISCOVER PALLADIO APP offers a complete panorama of Palladian monuments and the territory where they are to be found. It is an application created in order to involve a wide and international public and to show Palladio to the world with a simple click. On the one hand, the application has been conceived of as a genuine vehicle for getting to know Palladio and to promote him and his work; on the other hand it is a tool for representing the territory and its creative and entrepreneurial resources. Because today the Northeast, and in particular the province of Vicenza, is at the heart of Innov(e)tion Valley or, in other words, "the place with the highest density of creativity in the world". In this area are concentrated, not only an incredible number of historical villas and buildings, and so recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, but also international brands of fashion- and small artisan-industrial concerns, creative reconversions and experimental architecture, cultural workshops, museums, design industries, art galleries, communications agencies, and technological incubators.
The application is divided into two main sectors: "Conosci", Know, and "Visita", Visit. The first gathers together historical and architectural information about Palladian monuments in Vicenza and the world; it pays particular attention to the development of Palladianism in America and the enormous influence of Palladio on American architecture, something which has now been officially recognized by Resolution #259, 2010. The second supplies a great deal of tourist information and practical references for exploring the territory, from thematic itineraries to hotels and restaurants, and to the outlets and showrooms of the major fashion and design firms in the area. Part of the "Visita" section is devoted to creative industry and has been conceived of as an in-depth view of the Northeasts centers of excellence and of the brands that have their headquarters in the territory: from Diesel to Bottega Veneta, Bisazza, Zamperla, Dainese, Pal Zileri, and Zonin.
DISCOVER PALLADIO APP has been created as an information tool for the territory of Vicenza, a tool for the use of the widest possible national as well as international public, a public ranging from tourists to architects, art lovers, and creators the whole world over. It is an innovative and complete editorial product with a practical and speedy approach, one that answers the new needs for promoting tourism.