A breath of fresh air in the charming gardens of Ville Venete
Who is ready to have a walk in these splendid noble places in the countryside of Venice, Italy?
Ville Venete – villas built in the countryside by the noble families of Venice, searching for a peaceful and still very elegant estate. The historical centre of Venice was in the 15th and 16th century an extremely busy hub of business. Families, involved in the trading, wanted to escape from hot and humid Venetian summers to a more natural environment.
The typology of these buildings and their surrounding gardens were built between the 15th and the 16th century when Venice was known as The Republic of Venice. Venice was ruling also territories on the mainland, covering today's cities of Padova, Treviso, and further up north to Belluno.
Giardino Monumentale Di Valsanzibio Photo: Giardino Monumentale Di Valsanzibio
These villas had to be nothing less of a luxury than elegant palaces built on the Canal Grande. The most important architects were called to create designs for these eternal spaces. Architects such as Andrea Palladio, Vincenzo Scamozzi, Giovanni Maria Falconetto, Jacopo Sansovino managed to create the type of style, that fascinates until today.
There were around 4000 „Ville Venete“ built very often around banks of the Brenta river, for its proximity to Venice and Padova. Villas were built all-around what is today region of Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Castello di San Pelagio Photo: Castello di San Pelagio
The most notable of these architects was Andrea Palladio, after whom is named the very type of these villas – Ville Palladiane ( Palladian Villas of the Veneto). His fame and importance had grown even after his passing away. Among his notable works are villas built for the most powerful families of Venice located around Vicenza. Palladio was known for his inspiration from the architecture of Ancient Rome and Greece.
The characteristic sign Palladio´s villas is the perfect symmetry of the buildings. The best example is the Villa Rotonda in Vicenza.
Villa Rotonda Palladiana Photo: Luca Zan
Andrea Palladio lived and worked in the 16th century, in the time of the exquisite opulence and highly decorative elements used often in both architecture and interior design. However, he was choosing rather sober and less decorative, or colourful forms. His buildings resemble until our days almost a timeless modern design experience. Noteworthy, was also active in writing a theory about architecture, and it can be said that he was almost the continuation of the work and theory of Vitruvius.
Among many of his theories and views on art and beauty, here is one notable idea of his:
"Beauty will result from the form and correspondence of the whole, with respect of the several parts, of the parts with regard to each other, and of these again to the whole: that the structure may appear an entire and complete body, wherein each member agrees with the other, and all necessary to compose what you intend to form."
Andrea Palladio
La Barchessa di Villa Pisani Photo: Camilla Rocca
The interiors of these villas were often decorated by the painters, that were also working in churches and palaces in the centre of Venice. Equipped with the most exquisite furniture and decorated with chandeliers and mirrors of Murano.
It is known, that Venice´s noble families used to move to these countryside properties for a couple of months during summer. That meant to transfer their whole palace – court as well with the favourite pieces of the interior items, series of clothing and objects of the daily use.
In the next centuries, the trend of building villas in this particular style continued. Along with the construction of the splendid gardens, with even more elaborated landscape and artistic details.
Villa Godi Malinverni in the background Villa Piovene Photo: Luca Zan
Villa Contarini Photo: Nicola Tescari
Today, many of these architectural and landscape gems are being protected and organized under the Istituto Regionale Ville Venete. Numerous villas, particularly the Ville Palladiane were selected by UNESCO as world heritage sites. Some of these spaces are until today home for descendants of those families. In other cases, they became comfortable luxury hotels, countryside accommodation or a perfect location for events such as weddings or photoshoots.
With the arrival of spring, there is nothing more interesting than having a walk in the freshly blooming spectacular gardens of villas. Gardens were almost like the extended space of these glamorous estates. Venice had not enough space for splendid gardens and the demonstration of the style in greenery and exotic plants. Villas in the countryside offered a great place for it.
Villa Godi Malinverni Photo: Luca Zan
When we mention gardens and landscape architecture, we typically imagine elaborated French gardens, which were often very renowned spaces for kings, rulers, aristocracy. It was to introduce the most fashionable trends in the garden shapes, luxurious plants in various curated shapes, but also the exotic animals, such as peacocks or flamingos. All those to enrich the scenography of gardens and parks.
In the case of probably one of the most extravagant rulers in French history – Louis the XIV. – the King Sun, who also built the extravagant gardens around Versailles, gardens have proper symbolism within.
Having a radiant garden, in his case, was to symbolize the absolute power controlling also nature or „wilderness“. This is why in the most grandeur gardens the spectacular waterworks and fountains cannot miss. It reflects the taming of nature by the ruler or the owner.
Why not be inspired by the love of art and landscape architecture of Louis the XIV., but it is better not to follow his ideas in budget administration and team management... Let´s stay in the gardens, what do you think?
“A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in--what more could he ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.”
― Victor Hugo, Les Miserables
Labyrinth, Giardino Monumentale Di Valsanzibio Photo: Giardino Monumentale Di Valsanzibio
In the „Ville Venete“, gardens were creating a strong design element and a gracious living experience, with the wide areas including various types of trees, plants, flowers, featuring also water-creations with designed artificial fountains, small lakes or streams.
To design these landscape creations, to produce them and also to maintain them- there had to be numerous designers, artists, labourers, and then very skilled craftsmen, technical staff and hydraulic engineers ensuring its smooth run.
What was created then in the late Renaissance, remains as one of the best examples of landscape and gardens of Italy, Europe and we can confidently say, also very original and breathtaking even on the global scene.
Padiglione di Diana, Giardino Monumentale Di Valsanzibio Photo: Giardino Monumentale Di Valsanzibio
Travellers often fancy the historical centre of Venice as a chosen destination for the stay and visit. But if one loves gardens and wants to understand the wider context of Venetian living, rich and well – organized structure of the most spectacular historical period, The Ville Venete and their surrounding spaces would be definitely a great place to be.
There is something peerless on dreamy qualities of the gardens and parks of Ville Venete. Some are today places a bit abandoned, with a shabby and mysterious atmosphere featuring wild plants climbing on walls with unearthly statues. Some are well-curated villas with their perfect gardens present with plants trimmed into the most spectacular shapes.
There are so many places breathing with the style and noble atmosphere of the old, silent and calm Venice, far away from crowds and famous travel destinations. One can choose to carefully find a tour, leading him to these gardens. For me, it is driving into the countryside, perhaps checking maps and simply exploring, where the greenery will lead me.
While we will travel again and choose where our hearts would invite us, we can have a look at these places, feel their atmosphere and perhaps choose, where will we head next.
I believe, that the more we understand the reason why these places exist, the more we can fully immerse ourselves in these experiences. Then, we can bring back home precious memories and impressions.
Because that is why these gardens exist – to create comfort, shade, freshness, fascination, and overwhelming moments.
Wedding at Ca´Marcello Photo: Davide Gaudenzi
Though I do not believe that a plant will spring up where no seed has been, I have great faith in seed. Convince me that you have a seed there, and I am prepared to expect wonders.
Henry David Thoreau
Would you like to visit shown places? Here they are!
Visit:
Some of the villas are a private property opened only for certain events or occasions. Have a look at them online or explore Villas of Veneto simply "by chance", also in the closer proximity to Venice.
Arrival:
Since they are placed in the Veneto countryside, the best way how to reach them would be arrival with a car, or, if you like with a bike.
Location:
Villas are easy to reach from Venice, Padua, Vicenza, Treviso. Many of Ville Veneto are spread further around region Veneto and also in Friuli. Here is the list of the villas and gardens mentioned in the article, as they appeared.
1 Giardino Monumentale di Valsanzibio - ca 22 km from Padua
2 Castello San Pelagio - ca 15 km from Padua
3 Villa Rotonda Palladiana - ca 3 km from Vicenza
4 Villa Pisani - ca 14 km from Padua
5 Villa Godi Maliverni - ca 30 km from Vicenza
6 Villa Contarini - ca 24 km from Padua
http://www.villacontarini.eu/
7 Ca´Marcello - ca 18 km from Treviso
https://www.camarcello.it/
Credits:
I would like to say thanks to all the photographers who kindly provided their photographs. Here they are as appeared with a links to their socials:
1 Giardini Monumentali di Valsanzibio @giardinovalsanzibio
2 Castello di San Pellagio @castellodisalpelagio
3 Luca Zan @lucazanphoto
4 Camilla Rocca @roccamilla
5 Nicola Tescari @nick.77
6 Davide Gaudenzi @davidegaudenzi_photo
Thanks also to the professional tourist guide Beatrice Cantilena
@ exclusive_venice_tours and Ing. Arch. Giovanni Bellanca.
Text: Karolinska 2021
Photos: Courtesy of the photographers, as mentioned. All rights reserved