Venetian villa culture - holiday in Veneto

What would Veneto be without Venetian villa culture? In the 15th century, Veneto was a destination for many businesspeople, nobles and jobseekers. Trade across the seas was flourishing, and the trade routes to the north were well laid out, so that merchants could return to Veneto by the same routes. Eventually, however, there was no longer enough room. The cities were bursting at the seams, and disease was finding its way into people’s homes. Those who could afford to build did so outside the cities. Expansion continued unabated for centuries. It is said that several thousand Venetian villas were built between the 15th and 19th centuries.

Today, Venetian villa culture bears witness to what life in the countryside, away from the cities, was like. Half palace, half farmhouse, sometimes simply a palace, and at other times plain and unpretentious—that is how Venetian villa culture can be imagined today. Many travel guides offer excursions to Venetian villas as part of their cultural trips to Veneto, often following in the footsteps of Andrea Palladio. As an architect in the 16th century, his classical style set the direction for Venetian villa architecture. The aim at the time was to create residences that would appeal primarily to the so-called upper class. Many of these Venetian villas feature magnificent frescoes; they are said to embody harmony and splendour, and for this reason are well worth a trip to explore Venetian villa culture. It is said that around 60 villas in the vicinity of Vicenza can be attributed to Palladio. Villa “La Rotonda” is said to be the most famous of all his villas. Venetian villa culture is easy to explore with a rental car from Veneto. Cars can also be booked directly at Venice Airport, among other places. The Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo Iseppo da Porto, Villa Thiene, Villa Caldogno, Villa Barbaro and the church “Tempietto” are also attributed to Palladio’s designs. The last-mentioned villa is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

During the Napoleonic Wars, many Venetians left their homes, and sadly many buildings in the Venetian villa style fell into disuse. Efforts are now being made, however, to revive this fascinating Venetian villa culture through restoration.