Andrea Palladio (1508, Padua-1580, Vicenza) began his architectural training under the protective mantle of the poet Giangiorgio Trissino, who provided him with the opportunity to travel to Rome. Once there, Palladio studied the city's classical buildings, an experience which later led him to publish one of the first guides to the eternal city, "L'Anti-chita di Roma" (1554). He also studied the 10 books of Vitruvius, the only theoretical legacy of architecture from Roman period. One of Palladio's first large architectural works was the transformation of the basilica, now called the Palladian Basilica, in Vicenza, where he was also to construct many residential buildings. In addition to this, he planned several churches in Venice from 1560 on. such as San Giorgio Maggiore.