THE VENETIAN - 2 DAYS ITINERARY

Introduction GUIDES MANAGER Widely respected as one of the most important architects of the Western world, (1508-1580) was Wilma Barbieri a practitioner whose work has continued to resonate down five centuries. Lecturer guide of and the Venetian Villas, specialist The Venetian Villas are his best-known masterpiece. in . Situated in the region , these homes were designed for important and noble families of and Involved in the Art Tour field Vicenza who recognized Palladio’s architectural talent since 1984, worked with and were looking to acquire a sumptuous building to several Italian and foreigner which they could escape during the summer months or, in cultural associations and many cases, which they could use as a practical working museums. farm. Appointed guide of the Prince of Denmark Today, some of these villas, a few still privately owned, during his last visit of Vicenza. can be visited much as they were five centuries ago. The Collaborates with the University of selection we propose sweeps the visitor into the magic of Architecture of Florida in Vicenza. the Venetian Renaissance , enjoying these outstanding Languages: English, French architectures , their period furniture and marvelous Tel. 041 903669 frescoed interiors , as well as some enchanting centuries-old parks . Cell. 338 8360185 E-mail [email protected]

Program

1st DAY

1. CORNARO - Piombino Dese (PD) Visit to the house – 60 mins. This enchanting villa belonged to one of the noblest families in Venice and was the birthplace of Doges, admirals of the Venetian fleet and also a queen, Caterina Cornaro, who reigned in Cyprus for 16 years. The villa, with its double loggia, is the building by Palladio 's which most influenced modern architecture worldwide. The interior is decorated with eighteenth century frescoes that hide Masonic symbols.

2. CA’ MARCELLO - Levada di Piombino Dese (PD) Visit to the house and the gardens – 90 mins. Built in the 16th century, this is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained examples of Palladian style villas. It is still lived in by some descendants of the noble Venetian Marcello family and it contains all the original 18th century furniture. Count Marcello will guide you through a visit of the centuries-old park - which contains long rows of old trees, statues, a large fish pond and a “colombaia” tower – and then in the interiors, through splendid living rooms, bedrooms and a ballroom with fresco paintings by G.B. Crosato and incredibly beautiful stucco works.

Our guests can conclude the visit at Ca 'Marcello with refreshments or a private lunch, inside the house or in the park, as follows: A. Private lunch, buffet style or seated and served, with different 4 courses menu choices B. "Merenda" or light buffet with typical Venetian specialties C. Light refreshments with sweet and salty pastry

3. - Fanzolo di Vedelago (TV) Visit to the house – 60 mins. Villa Emo offers a synthetic and emblematic picture of the Palladian architecture . Built by Andrea Palladio in 1558 for Leonardo Emo’s account and designed on the grid of the Roman centuriation , with its long stone ramp and the symmetric barchesse , it dominates the monumental complex of the park, of the rustic outline buildings and of the lands where the plantation of corn had its start. The clean austerity of the Doric order of the façade blends with the beauty of the rich internal decorative scenery , a work by Gianbattista Zelotti. Possible extension of the itinerary 4. VILLA DI MASER - Maser (TV) Visit to the house and to the carriages collection - 60 mins . Designed by Andrea Palladio in 1550 and decorated with the cycle of frescoes by Paolo Veronese and the stuccos by Alessandro Vittoria , it is one of the masterpieces of XVI century Venetian art. The Villa is surrounded by the green of its v ineyards and by continuing its wine production it keeps alive the old tradition of the “villa farm”. In 1996 the Villa, which is now the owners residence, was inscribed on the World Heritage list by UNESCO . In one of the adjoining buildings there is an interesting Collection of Carriages .

Wine tasting of Villa di Maser estate's wines is available. Carriage Collection open from March to October. Visits to the villas allowed to a maximum of 25 people at a time every 30 minutes. Group visits available every day except on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sunday afternoons.

1st day map 1. Villa Cornaro 2. Ca’ Marcello 3. Villa Emo 4. Villa di Maser

2nd DAY

5. TEATRO OLIMPICO - Vicenza Visit to the theater – 40 mins. The Teatro Olimpico, the last work of Andrea Palladio , came to an end after his death and reworks the structure of the Roman theater described by Vitruvius. It is the first indoor masonry theater in the world , decorated with wood, stucco and plaster. Inside you can admire the famous stage by .

6. PALAZZO BARBARAN DA PORTO - Vicenza Visit to the palace – 60 mins. This building is the only large city palace that Andrea Palladio was able to fully complete. The result was a sumptuous residence that allowed the commissioner to represent himself in the city as a leading exponent of the cultural elite of Vicenza. Since October 2012, the building is housing the Palladio Museum , the first museum dedicated to the figure of Andrea Palladio. The exhibition displays the life of the genius, his construction techniques, the history of its patrons but also offers an overview on life and culture of the sixteenth century.

7. VILLA VALMARANA AI NANI - Vicenza Visit to the house – 60 mins. Villa Valmarana ai Nani is a marvellous architectonic and artistic complex situated in a large XVIII century park, including the Palazzina (1669), the Foresteria (the guesthouse) and the stables (1720). The villa is also called “The House of the Dwarves” due to the 17 stone-statues of dwarves standing on the boundary wall. The Valmarana family still lives in this villa, whose frescoes by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo are universally recognized as one of the supreme expressions of the XVIII century and as the evidence of Tiepolo’s genius.

Visitors travelling by bus need to walk 150 meters to reach the entrance of the villa.

8. VILLA ALMERICO CAPRA “LA ROTONDA” - Vicenza Visit to the house – 45 mins. This magnificent villa lays on the top of a hill, where the Riviera Berica starts to take shape. Each façade is embellished with a classical portico that seems to push itself by centrifugal force to the surrounding landscape. The decoration of the building is magnificent, with speeches by Lorenzo Rubini and Giambattista Albanian (statues), Anselmo Canera, Bernardino India, Alexander Maganza and later Louis Dorigny (pictorial devices). Remarkable is also the park, romantic setting, which opens to views of cultivated land all around.

From April to October: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday only the outdoors can be visited, while on Wednesday and Saturday are open to visitors both external and internal spaces. From Nove mber to March: only external.

Tour rates Contacts This tour is available all year round, by booking, Jacopo Marcello– Venetian Villas Association Delegate for groups of minimum 20 people. Via dei Marcello, 13 Levada di Piombino Dese (PD) Average price per person: € 45,50 - € 60,50 Phone & Fax +39 049 9350340 The price includes all entrance fees (varies Mobile +39 335 8180078 depending on the chosen visit alternative) and E-mail [email protected]

does not include transportation and guide service.

2nd day map 5. Teatro Olimpico 6. Palazzo Barbaran Da Porto 7. Villa Valmarana ai Nani 8. Villa Almerico Capra “La Rotonda”

WHERE TO SLEEP AND EAT ALONG THE ITINERARY

Hotels

- Best Western Albergo Roma | Castelfranco Veneto (TV) N. of rooms: 80 Phone 0423 721616 Web www.albergoroma.com

- Hotel Fior | Castelfranco Veneto (TV) N. of rooms: 42 Phone 0423 721212 Web www.hotelfior.com

- Albergo Al Moretto | Castelfranco Veneto (TV) N. of rooms: 48 Phone 0423 721313 Web www.albergoalmoretto.it

- Hotel Villa Tacchi | Gazzo Padovano (PD) N. of rooms: 50 Phone 049 9426111 Web www.villa-tacchi.com

Restaurants - Al Munaron | Vedelago (TV) Web www.ristorantealmunaron.com Phone 0423 481961

- Ristorante Barbesin | Castelfranco Veneto (TV) Web www.barbesin.it Phone 0423490446

- Ristorante Da Remo | Loc. Caimpenta - Vicenza (VI) Web www.daremoristorante.it Phone 0444 911007

- Antico ristorante Agli Schioppi | Vicenza Web www.ristoranteaglischioppi.com Phone 0444 543701