In a sizeable 18th-century park, the Villa’s undisputed main attractions are a scenic fishpond replenished by the garden’s murmuring waters, centuries-old avenues ending in far-off fields, and pairs of statues from Orazio Marinali’s workshop standing guard over views of the Vicenza landscape.

Located close to the town centre on a large agricultural estate, this imposing complex was built in the mid-17th century to a Palladian-style design attributed to Antonio Pizzocaro for Antonio Piovene, the owner who was keen to celebrate his family’s accension to the Venetian patriciate. The complex spans a number of elements, starting with a quadrilateral plan central courtyard with central fountain bordered by an unbroken, three-sided series of arcades, the ends contiguous with the main residence which takes up the entire southern span. To the south, an Italian-style garden is bordered on one side by a high wall along the road, and on the other by a large fishpond fed by the waters of the Poscola stream, which the Piovene family had diverted. The formal garden is bordered by boxwood hedges and dotted with citrus trees. Three avenues run through the extensive 18th-century park, two lined with hornbeam, one with lime trees, creating a sense of perspective that ends n the countryside. This whole portion of the garden is characterized by the soundtrack of gurgling water that flows through thin stone channels to feed the large fishpond. The complex is today managed by its current owners, the da Schio family.

Highlights