In autumn nature changes, the leaves become golden and the air becomes more crisp.
In this article of the Venice Box we present one of the most beautiful villas in Veneto, which holds an even greater treasure: we are talking about Villa Valmarana in Vicenza frescoed by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo.
If you’ve never heard of it, it’s time to start discovering all its beauty, if you already know it, we hope to reveal to you some new curiosities.
Villa Valmarana in Vicenza: history
This villa was built in 1669 by Giovanni Maria Bartolo, but it was Giustino Valmarana who made it famous and so beautiful.
Thanks to him the villa was enlarged and decorated with the precious friezes and architecture of Gerolamo Mengozzi Colonna.
For the interior decorations one of the main artists of the time was called: Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo.
It is said that Giambattista ended his work in a great hurry due to the fear that his client would die and leave to his heirs, less generous, the burden of paying the frescoes.
Giustino died in 1757 while Tiepolo were finishing the work, luckily his frescoes were finished!
Villa Valmarana in Vicenza: the legend of the Dwarves
Villa Valmarana is also called “Ai Nani” (dwarves in Italian) based on a famous legend concerning the 17 sculptures that rest on the walls surrounding the Villa.
It is said that these strange sculptures refer to a dwarf maiden forced to live on the high walls with 20 dwarf servants in her service. It is said that the young woman took her own life because she was desperate for her deformity.
Villa Valmarana in Vicenza: the Frescoes by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo
The frescoes inside the Palazzina, according to the indications of Giustino Valmarana, depict the great epic themes, with particular attention to the amorous episodes of the characters.
Among the poems represented are the Iliad, the Aeneid, the Orlando Furioso and the Jerusalem Delivered.
Another type of subjects are depicted in the Foresteria, here it is possible to compare the pictorial style of the Tiepolo. Giandomenico dedicated himself to the rooms of the Chinoiserie, the Peasants and the Walks while his father Giambattista frescoed the room of the Gods of Olympus and the figure of the black servant coming down the stairs in the room dedicated to the Carnival of Venice.
Villa Valmarana in Vicenza: the park
If today we can admire the garden of Villa Valmarana in all its charm, we owe it to Elena Garzadori, wife of Giustino Valmarana’s son. Upon entering, you will be greeted by the scent of Olea Fragrans, Osmanthus in English. You can continue your walk under the rows of hornbeams that lead to a niche that contains a large statue of Nymphaeum.
The park space between the Palazzina and the Foresteria is embellished by an Italian garden composed of box hedges and imposing Osmanthus trees. Inside the garden you will find the porch, the terrace and the delightful little theater that was once used for the declamations of epic poems and theatrical performances.
The Visit
If this description does not satisfy your curiosity and you want to see everything with your eyes, we advise you to book your ticket immediately and skip the line! To book the visit immediately, visit the website: http://bit.ly/visit-villa-valmarana
Want to know about other unmissable experiences in Venice? Find out more in other articles of our blog.
