DAY 4° Riviera del Brenta
Make an excursion to the enchanting Venetian Villas situated along the Brenta river by car or by bicycle from Malcontenta on the way to Padova:
- Villa Foscari by Palladio at Malcontenta (this
villa is distinguished by hexastyle Ionic pronaos designed by
Palladio in 1560 and frescoed by Gianbattista Zelotti and Battista
Franco. According to popular tradition, the name is taken from
that of a noblewoman of the Foscari family who was “unhappy” about
being confined to the villa because she was too free in spirit and
restless)
- Villa Widmann at Mira (It was modernized in
1705 in an elegant French Rococo style and thefrescoes are by
Giuseppe Angeli of the Ginbattista Piazzetta School. The estate
dates from the same period, including the extensive gardens
adorned with statues and the large chapel attributed to
A.Tirali)
-
Barchessa Valmarana at Mira (it is situated on a
bend of the Brenta river and was recently renovated, it contains
the great hall that was frescoed in the second half of the
eighteenth century with architectural prospect, allegories and
landscape that were attributed at the Chioggia artist Michelangelo
Schiavone or “Chiozzotto”, and the interior still displays
original furnishings)
- Villa Pisani at Stra (it is symbol of
excellence of the greatness and sumptuousness of the eighteenth
century and here is the largest villa on the Brenta. The interior
was decorated by best eighteenth century Venetian masters and on
the ceiling of the main reception salon is a fresco by G.B.
Tiepolo. In the park adorned with statues, the stables by G.
Frigimelica are outstanding, and there are other extravagant
architectural features and the famous hedge maze).
- Villa Foscarini Rossi at Stra ( built on an
eighteenth centuryfoundation, the interior is decorated with
paintings in the school of G. Jappelli. The lodge is worth noting;
it was once used for guests and boasts a large salon with
allegorical scenes. And then it is possible to visit the Museum of
Footwear, the shoe being a highly sought-after item of fashion and
symbol of the craftsmanship on the banks of Brenta).
[photo by Paolo Bonavoglia http://xoomer.alice.it/gyobon/index.html]
