Once, along the banks of the Brenta, Venice's most influential families built their holiday homes. Elegant villas surrounded by greenery, overlooking the water and were animated by sumptuous parties, diplomatic meetings and moments of leisure in the large gardens. Today that charm has remained unchanged and the Riviera del Brenta is the perfect place to immerse yourself in an atmosphere of art, history and beauty.
The best way to discover it? Sailing along the river, as did the Venetian nobles, or cycling on the cycle path that runs along the banks, amid villages, bridges and picturesque views.
Among the Venetian Villas that you will encounter, the most grandiose is certainly Villa Pisani, known as La Nazionale, in Stra: the estate, with its fascinating park, was commissioned in 1721 by the Doge Almorò Pisani to celebrate the greatness of his family; this is demonstrated by the fresco Gloria of the Pisani Family, painted by Giambattista Tiepolo on the ceiling of the sumptuous ballroom.
Another must-see building is Villa Foscari, known as La Malcontenta, built by Palladio in 1559 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the splendid frescoes inside by Battista Franco and Giambattista Zelotti are worthy of attention.
But the Riviera never ceases to amaze. Also to be included in your itinerary are Villa Foscarini Rossi, designed at the end of the sixteenth century by Vincenzo Scamozzi and now home to the Museum of Footwear; Villa Valmarana, with its imposing colonnades and traditional Italian garden; Villa Widmann Rezzonico Foscari, which hosted illustrious figures such as Carlo Goldoni, Cardinal Sarto (who became Pope Pius X), the musicians Malipiero and Igor Stravinski, and Gabriele d 'Annnunzio, a friend of Count Pietro Foscari, who was a frequent guest.
More than just buildings to admire, the villas are experiences to enjoy: the Riviera del Brenta will reveal the secrets of the Venetian Villas through guided tours, cultural events, festivals and food and wine traditions.
Find out more on the Riviera del Brenta official website!
Sentinelle di arte e civiltà, dimore storiche che raccontano secoli di ingegno, gusto e sviluppo economico, testimoni di storie nobiliari antiche: sono le Ville Venete, patrimonio diffuso con oltre 3.000 unità.
