Villa Malcontenta, Widmann e Valmarana

The Venetian mainland is not only fascinating and full of noticeable places to visit, it is also a historically essential part for the complete understanding of the "amphibious civilization". Starting from the 15th century, the Venetians turned their attention to the mainland, where they began to build those estates that we now call "villas".


Some of the Venetian mainland towns that can be visited without too much effort in a half day from Venice, or from Padua, are located along the Riviera del Brenta, in the localities of Mira, Dolo, Fiesso and Strà.

A half-day guided tour can include these sites:

1. Villa Foscari called Malcontenta. It is the only villa on the Riviera to be certainly a work by Andrea Palladio. It was built for the brothers Alvise and Nicolò Foscari in 1556, and was decorated inside with frescoes by Giambattista Zelotti and Battista Franco, today only surviving in traces due to the strappos, but still capable of expressing the grandeur of the place. The park that surrounds the historical house offers moments of beauty and serenity. It is now included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

2. Villa Widmann Rezzonico Foscari: the main building boasts a spectacular ballroom, with beautiful rococo frescoes by Giuseppe Angeli. The English-style park features a small artificial lake and offers a pleasant walk.

3. Barchessa Valmarana: this is the name given to the right-hand side building of the no longer existing villa Valmarana in Mira. The barchessa boasts a large hall frescoed by Michelangelo Schiavoni Chioggiotto and a well-kept park.