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The Venetian Renaissance architect

Andrea Palladio Vicenza, villas and palaces in vicenza and veneto region.His name was Andrea di Pietro della Gondola but we know him as Andrea Palladio. He was born in Padua in 1508, and in 1524 he moved to Vicenza where he settled. Here he came to the notice of Giangiorgio Trissino that took him under his protection and helped him to improve his culture and intellect background. As well as his artistic technique by the study of the classics and by the visit of Rome various times. Trissino gave to Andrea the nickname Palladio due to Pallas Athena, goddess of knowledge.

Theories of Vitruvius

As it is known, Andrea Palladio was the staunch supporter of Vitruvius, from whom he learned the construction theories. And the pilasters of these theories that we can see today in all the Palladian Buildings were three: firmitas, utilitas and venustas (solidity, functionality and beauty of the work). Furthermore, with Daniele Barbaro, he translates and publishes the work of Vitruvius. The most important is the first edition of Vitruvius treatise written between 35 and 25 BC: “The Ten Books of Architecture“. And in 1570 he published “The Four Books of Architecture” where he reviewed his forty years career.

Andrea Palladio and his works

He was, first of all, a Palace architect that proved his knowledge of craft and design. Most of the palaces are in Vicenza where their noble façades still distinguish the city’s streets. However, we have other examples in the towns of Udine (palazzo Antonini) and Verona (palazzo Dalla Torre). Furthermore, we can’t forget some public works that Andrea Palladio made in all the Veneto region!

He died in 1580 at the age of 72 while inspecting the construction site of the little temple of Villa Barbaro in Maser.

Vicenza, as UNESCO has decreed, is the city of Palladio. 23 monuments in the town and 16 villas in its province are reported in the World heritage list.

Notoriously Andrea Palladio is the most famous architect of the last 500 years. And also the US Congress declares him the father of the architecture. It is reported through Resolution No 259/2010, for the decisive influence of his style.

Palladio in Venice

Andrea Palladio visited Venice for the first time in 1548, at the age of 40. By then he was the successful provincial architect that works on the mainland territories of the Serenissima. But the last thirty years of his life (he died in 1580) he dedicates his efforts to promote and apply his classical ideas in Venice.

The Venetian bureaucracy

For ten years he suffered a series of defeats. In fact, his struggle to break the tightly knit Venetian bureaucracy was without success. A system that controlled the major architecture commissions. They included the rejection of his projects for the Rialto bridge. As well as his application to become the architect of the important Office of the Salt that was the wealthy monopoly that controlled the salt trade of Venice, also responsible for the maintenance of he revered Ducal Palace.

Daniele and Marcantonio Barbaro

Palladio faced the opposition of members of the Senate lined up against his “Roman” architecture language. For sure he couldn’t succeed it without the help of some politician. As a result, the brothers Daniele and Marcantonio Barbaro guaranteed for him. They were two erudite and influential Venetian noblemen and it was their decisive support that enabled Palladio to secure his first project in the city of the Lagoon.

The Patriarch of Venice

The brothers were his guarantors in the 1558 contract with the Patriarch of Venice. He commissioned Andrea Palladio to design and supervise the construction of a new façade for St Pietro di Castello. The venerable cathedral of the Serenissima. While some members of the Senate were not as yet convinced of the merits of the classicism of Palladio. But the design of St Pietro façade was received with acclaim. Hence it opened the door to other prestigious commissions. These included the large convent of the Carità with its admired cloister, and the façade of St Francesco Della Vigna.

St Giorgio Maggiore

However, the decisive step forward for Andrea Palladio was his work at the monastic complex of St Giorgio Maggiore. Here the Benedictine Order provided Palladio with the opportunity to redesign the refectory which the Master transformed into a magnificent structure. Also to design and to supervise the construction of his first sacred building in Venice. This was the basilica of St Giorgio Maggiore, a project with which he remained involved as a supervisor and later as a consultant until his death.

Palladio outside Venice

In 1570, Palladio was at the summit of his career. In fact, they solicited his consulting work not only in Venice but also in other Italian states. Including the Duchy of Savoy, and even at the Hapsburg court in Vienna. He was by then the trusted architect of the Republic. However, Venice commissioned him to design his crowning masterpiece, the votive church of the Redentore on the Giudecca. This was the result of the vow made by Doge Mocenigo: to built a church to commemorate the end of a devastating epidemic of the plague that had decimated the Venetian population between 1576 and 1577.

The Redentore

The Redentore is the most outstanding work of Palladio for its unique processional plan and its scenographic interior where a wide staircase provided its access. In the detail, the Master conceived it in order to enhance the solemn progress of the annual procession. An event that continues to take place to this day on the third Sunday of July, crossing the wide canal of the Giudecca from the Zattere.

The Tempietto of Villa Barbaro

The close friendship with the Barbaro brothers continued also after the death of Daniele. In fact, Marcantonio Barbaro gave Palladio the opportunity to create his last sacred masterpiece, the Tempietto. Conceived as the chapel of the Barbaro family on the grounds of its villa at Maser. It was built on the much admired central plan of Maser. This is a work that carefully reflects his admiration to the famous Pantheon in Rome.

His architecture lexicon

After his death, the influence of Palladio continued to grow in Venice and abroad. His famous treatise, “The Quattro Libri dell’Architettura” published in Venice in 1570 for sure helped to spread his fame. Most of all, it was a treatise with excellent drawings and concise text of clear didactic value. His classic architecture language and the grammatical rules that govern it are now being assessed by scholars such as Howard Burns. Even before his arrival in Venice, Palladio had definite concepts that were part of his architectural lexicon. In fact, they found concrete expression in the remarkable cycle of buildings that he created in Venice. Perhaps the most influential body of ecclesiastical work in the Western world.

In the mainland of Venice, we propose day excursions with some of his works that can be visited.

The Four Books of Architecture

In 1570 Andrea Palladio publishes “The Four Books of Architecture”. It is a treatise in four volumes which represents the most precious illustrated publication of those times.

  • The first book of “The Four Books of Architecture” reports Andrea Palladio’s ideas about purity and simplicity of classic architecture. Therefore he describes the choice of materials and construction techniques. Furthermore the architecture forms of orders in all their parts.
  • The second book contains designs of villas, palaces, and buildings. However, these representations often diverge from the building constructed. This is due to a process of idealization and adaptation to the mature language of the architect.
  • The third book describes the way to build roads, bridges, squares and churches.
  • And the fourth book contains reliefs of a large number of historic buildings.
Villas by Palladio
Villa La Rotonda
villa la rotonda almerigo capra by andrea palladio located in Vicenza, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

villa la Rotonda

The temple of the cardinal Paolo Almerico

The construction of this villa begins in the 1550. Hence Vincenzo Scamozzi completes part of it in the early 17th. In conclusion, it consists in a geometric cube with identic pronaos on all four side. And B Ridolfi decorates the fireplaces in the four corner rooms.  While A Maganza, L Dorigny and B Aviani decorate the round center hall. And today it is an outstanding work private owned. This monument is in the UNESCO Word Heritage List.

Villa Barbaro
Villa Barbaro Volpi by andrea palladio, with frescoes by paolo veronese, a unesco heritage site

Villa Barbaro Volpi

The farm estate in Maser

The building is built for the Barbaro brothers: Daniele and Marcantonio. Hence here for the first time, the manor house and the barchesse are in line. In fact, the design is to make a compact architecture unity. Probably this solution is due for the location of the villa. Especially relevant on the slopes of a hill. And for the terrain unevenness, costly works would be required. This due with barchesse arranged according to the shape of the slope. Therefore this disposition gives a great view from the road below. Paolo Veronese has decorated the rooms with a splendid cycle of frescoes. For sure they are the most extraordinary of the Venetian Cinquecento. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Cornaro
Villa Cornaro in Piombino Dese by palladio, on two floors with double portico-loggia.

Villa Cornaro

The two floors palladian villa

Villa Cornaro is set in the village of Piombino Dese. And the owner was a patrician of Venice. It is more a country residence than a villa. However, it is far from the agriculture estate and its dependencies. While its position on the public street emphasizes the ambivalence of the structure. Furthermore, fireplaces are present in all the rooms. The Villa is on two floors with double portico. And the harmony of the interior spaces is important. In fact, the sum of the sizes of the various rooms was deemed “most perfect” in the renaissance architecture. The frescoes of the visited area represent scenes of the Old Testament. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa La Malcontenta
Villa Foscari La Malcontenta was executed for the brothers Nicolò and Alvise Foscari about the end of the 1550s.

Villa Foscari La Malcontenta

Along the Brenta Riviera

La Malcontenta was built to the brothers Nicolò and Alvise Foscari. It seems like the end of the 1550s. And it rises in an isolate block with no agriculture annexes. Whatsoever it’s on the edge of the lagoon and the banks of the river Brenta. More than a “villa-farm”, it presents itself as a villa suburbana. Anyway, from the center of Venice the boat can reach Villa Foscari rapidly. Furthermore, the family was one of the most powerful of the city. Hence their residence has a majestic character unknown in all the Andrea Palladio villas. Recent studies have found a Foscari brothers commission to Palladio. That was for a design of an altar in the church of San Pantalon. Which therefore it documents the relation before the project of the villa.

 

Villa Piovene Porto Godi
Villa Piovene Porto Godi

Villa Piovene Porto Godi

Between the plain and the prealps

The project of this Villa is of Andrea Palladio. Even if the pronaos is from the 1587, after his death. However, in the 18th century, F Muttoni added the two Doric porticos and the entrance gate. Always Muttoni builds the staircase rising to the villa and the double flight of steps leading to the pronaos. Hence Antonio Piovene designed the park behind the 15th century chapel of St Gerolamo. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Poiana
Villa Pojana by andrea palladio, world heritage. Excursion with professional guide

Villa Pojana

The creative façade

The villa is designed with an unusual appearance. But the actual construction doesn’t quite follow the original project. Anyhow the central section dates back to the 1566 while the left wing is from the 18th century. Furthermore, on the sides of the front staircase, G Albanese (1568) made the statues of Jove and Neptune. And in the interiors, the artists B India and A Canera made the 16th century frescoes. The stuccoes are works of B Ridolfi. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Serego
Villa Sarego by Andrea Palladio, Valpolicella Verona

Villa Sarego

The Valpolicella landscape

The villa is isolated in the extreme west of Andrea Palladio’s countryside. And it’s also one of his last works. For sure it is an exception of all the Palladio’s Villas. First of all, in all the other villas the manor house dominates on the whole complex. But Here Palladio preferred to articulate the space around the great “void” of the central courtyard. Probably taking his own reconstructions of the antique Roman villa as the model. Instead of brick and render, the great Ionic columns were with blocks of calcareous stone. Anyhow just roughed out and assembled one over the other to create irregular piles. And the type of material used comes from the Sarego family quarries that are not far. For sure the huge dimensions of the columns give a sensation of power.

Villa Trissino Trettenero
Villa Trissino Trettenero by palladio, located in Vicenza a unesco world heritage.

Villa Trissino Trettenero

Isolated at the doors of Vicenza

The owner of this villa was a noble. And his name was Gian Giorgio Trissino. Therefore He built the villa in the 1537 on the pre-existing Badoer Castle. As a result, he was the mentor of Andrea Palladio. He was also a scholar and the author of “Italia Liberata dai Goti”. Hence he proved himself to be an architect with talent. About the villa, the façade is between two towers that date back to the middle ages. Furthermore, it’s a version of Raphael’s Villa Madama in Rome. In the detail, the pilasters separate the arches of the ground floor. And they are duplicate on the first floor. Just between the rectangular windows with the pediment on the top. Unfortunately, there is no trace of the interior paintings. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Zeno
Villa Zeno by Palladio, Sightseeing in Italy, day tour, excursion in Veneto region.

Villa Zeno

The most easterly building

The dating of the project for this villa is uncertain. Anyway, this is one of the least known work. Certainly, it’s the easternmost of Palladio’s villas. And recent hypotheses have fixed the date to 1554. Which is to say right after Marco Zeno’s acquisition of the estate of Cessalto. In fact, this date is compatible to the construction period of other villas. As a result like Saraceno and Caldogno built on that time. Certainly, this design is in the Quattro Libri. The project was with large right-angle barchesse. And actually their construction dates back the first decades of the seventeenth century.

Villa Angarano
Villa Angarano harmomiously framed by two fine doric porticos, Palladio's works, and a chapel on the right side

Villa Angarano

The Baroque style villa

This villa dates back the 17th century. And The architect B Longhena builds it in his favored style. However, the central section is interesting. Most of all the arched windows are relevant. Because a balustrade connects them. And pilasters separated them. But the feature of the curved tympanum with statues is unusual. Hence Two doric porticos frame the villa that are works of Palladio. Consequently, the right side portico ends with the chapel of the villa. Also this monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Caldogno
Villa Caldogno close to Vicenza, made by Palladio and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Caldogno

Great arches with rustic frames

This villa dates back 1570. And the owner was Angelo Caldogno. Therefore the façade is harmonious. Due to its three vaulted openings framed with large stones. However, a flight of steps leads to the loggia. The tympanum gives further emphasis to the rusticated frame of the great arches. That is in contrast with the smooth and luminous façade. Furthermore, G A Fasolo, G B Zelotti, A Maganza and G Carpioni have painted beautiful frescoes in various rooms. This villa is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Emo
Villa Emo was built, most probably, during the years 1557-1560, when Palladio was accepted by the big aristocratic venetian families

Villa Emo

The architecture and the frescoes

Most probably the construction of this villa is in between the years 1557 and 1560. And in those years the noble venetian people accept the architect. As a result, the design of this villa is late than Villa Barbaro at Maser and Villa Badoer in Fratta. With which Villa Emo shares the general setting. However Leonardo Emo is the owner. And he marries Francesco Badoer’s nephew in the 1565. Therefore in the villa, the painter Zelotti made the frescoes of the main rooms. Seems like he was partner and collaborator of Veronese. This building is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Gazzotti
Villa Gazzotti Marcello Curti by andrea palladio in the province of vicenza, listed in the unesco world heritage.

Villa Gazzotti Marcello Curti

The proportion and the harmony

There is no doubt that Andrea Palladio is the architect of this villa. And seems like villa Gazzotti was one of his early works. However the proportion of the façade is harmonious. Hence the three beautiful arches remain its focal point. As a result the architect builds it between 1540 and 1545. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Pisani Bonetti
Villa Pisani Bonetti in Bagnolo di Lonigo by andrea palladio, wold heritage.

Villa Pisani Bonetti

A residence and a farm

The Chapter XIV of the Second Book of Palladio begins with this villa. This book treats of “Villas of some noble Venetians”. However, villa Pisani Bonetti dates back in between the 1541 and the 1542. As a result, the union of the classic triumph arc and the type of medieval towers is particular. Furthermore, the frieze on the façade is the symbol of the noble counts of Bagnolo. This villa is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Porto Thiene
Villa Porto Thiene by Andrea Palladio, in the province of Vicenza listed in unesco world heritage.

Villa Porto Thiene

The ten brick columns

This is an extraordinary work of ten brick columns. And it dominates the farmyard of the castle of the Porto family. Precisely it marks the first stage of a project which Palladio conceives on behalf of Iseppo (Giuseppe) Porto. In fact, the patron’s name is on the plinths of the splendid stone column bases, next to the date 1572. Iseppo Porto is the rich protagonist of one of Vicenza’s most important families. And brother in law of both Adriano and Marcantonio Thiene (patrons of the palace with the same name in Vicenza). This noble is already the owner of a palace which Palladio had designed him twenty years earlier. This work is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Thiene
Villa Thiene

Villa Thiene

Some news of Giulio Romano

Seems like this villa is made to the brothers Thiene. Most of all Giulio Romano made the project of the building. And Palladio modifies it when he becomes the director of the works. Therefore the villa is along the river Tesina. Furthermore, it is in the center of the two great agriculture courts of the Thiene family. However, the project of the villa is quite different from the others. In conclusion, this is an unfinished work. Inside the rooms, Giovanni De Mio with perhaps Bernardino India made the frescoes. As a result, it is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Valmarana Bressan
Villa Valmarana Bressan by Palladio in the province of Vicenza listed on unesco world heritage.

Villa Valmarana Bressan

The influence from antiquity

A vast and luxuriant park surrounds this villa. Most relevant is the façade. Where we can see in the center the only opening of the serliana archway. Seems like this feature suggests the attribution to the architect. And inside some frescoes of the 18th century are in the spacious hall. Hence in the central room, all around the upper part, we find a frieze of Pasqualotto. Furthermore, they discover some paintings of the 16th century in one of the rooms. Also this building is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Badoer
Villa Badoer by Palladio

Villa Badoer

The Polesine and the Po valley

This villa dates back to the 1554 and the owner was the Venitian noble Francesco Badoer. Hence it’s in the south of the region, in the flat and foggy country of the Polesine. However, the building rises on the site of an ancient medieval castle. And in this work Palladio connects the manor house to the two barchesse that are in semicircle. As a result, this solution protects the stables and the annexes. Furthermore, the manor house of the villa rises on a high basement. Most of all it recalls important precedents. The Villa Medici at Poggio a Caiano, as well as the villa dei Vescovi not far. Even Villa Badoer is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Da Porto Rigo
Villa Chiericati Da Porto Rigo by andrea palladio in the area of Vicenza, town in UNESCO World Heritage list.

Villa Chiericati Da Porto Rigo

The purity and the elegance

Palladio builds it in the second half of the 16th century. Therefore the architecture scheme of this villa is the more favored of the architect. Most of all the balance of the villa is perfect. Hence the pronaos with its large columns supporting the tympanum is of remarkable elegance. Furthermore, this villa is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Forni Cerato
Villa Forni Cerato by andrea palladio, in the province of vicenza, town in unesco word heritage list.

Villa Forni Cerato

A masterpiece uninhabited

This Villa is one of the early works of Palladio. However, it dates back in between 1540 and 1545. As a result, the middle section has a narrow flight of stairs leading up to a “serliana”. And the openings stand out sharply on the wall surface. Hence above the rectangular openings, the basrelief represents river gods. Without doubt, they are works of a sculptor with A Vittoria influence. This villa is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Godi Malinverni
Villa Godi Malinverni

Villa Godi Malinverni

On the hill with view on the plain

This is the first country house designed between 1540 and 1542. Most relevant the centre part recessed between the two massive wings. Of special interest is the rich decoration of the whole first floor “piano nobile”. And also one of the rooms on the ground floor. Therefore G B Zelotti wth many other artists made the frescoes of the main hall and Venus Room. However, Zelotti himself decorates the Arts Room and the ground floor. As follow Battista del Moro made the Muse Room, and many frescoes in the right wing are assign to G Padovano. Even the park is quite beautiful. This villa is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Pisani in Montagnana
Villa Pisani in Montagnana by andrea palladio, unesco world heritage

Villa Pisani Montagnana

The Renaissance and the Middle Ages

In the 1552 he designs this building to his friend Francesco Pisani. Hence the project takes place in the neighborhood of the village of Montagnana. And noteworthy Pisani was a noble of Venice. As a result, he was the patron and the friend of important artists. For sure such as Veronese and Maganza. And as well as Vittoria and Palladio. These last two artists work in the construction and decoration of his home. Anyway, the building was in progress in September 1553. But in 1555 the works end with the sculpture decorations. And for the first time, a two storey portico of engaged columns and a two storey loggia crowned with pediments appear in a villa. In addition, a doric frieze surrounds the whole building. On the garden front, the façade of the wall takes on life in the plastic excavation of the portico and the upper loggia.

Villa Saraceno
Villa Saraceno by andrea palladio, unesco world heritage site, restored by the landmark trust

Villa Saraceno

The Landmark Trust property

At the end of the 1540s the noble Saraceno calls the architect to redesign an existing farm. The site was at Finale di Agugliaro. And also the area was a property of his family. Seems like the project of Palladio was to remodel the whole complex. For sure in the Quattro Libri, he shows the building clamped between two great right-angled barchesse. But the whole restoration remains unfinished. And as a result, the Palladio’s intervention was just to the manor block. On the right side of the farmyard, the buildings are still Quattrocento. While the barchessa was from the beginning of the nineteenth century. This monument is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Villa Trissino di Sarego
Villa Trissino Meledo di Sarego by andrea palladio, unesco world heritage

Villa Trissino Meledo di Sarego

An incomplete aristocratic villa

This small building is only a part of a majestic complex. And the project was for the Trissino family. Therefore the design in “The Four Books of Architecture” locates the dwelling on the hilltop site.  And also it shows four façades and several porches. Close to the villa, we find the original gothic house. Also this building is in the UNESCO world Heritage List.

Villa Valmarana Zen
Villa Valmarana Scagnolari Zen by Palladio, located in the province of Vicenza.

Villa Valmarana Scagnolari Zen

After the destruction of the wars

Badly damaged by air raids, this villa had a full restoration. First of all Andrea Palladio draws the project in 1570. And as a result in a reproduction of his Books of Architecture. Anyhow the design will change during its construction. The Villa should have had a portico and a loggia in the central section bound by tower like wings. Of remarkable interest is the chapel that dates back to the 1615. And also the statues and the wrought-iron gates. This building is in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Palaces by Palladio
Casa Cogollo
Casa Cogollo by Andrea Palladio, palace in the historical center of Vicenza listed in unesco world heritage.

Casa Cogollo

The home of Palladio

This palace is known like the home of Andrea Palladio. And due for its modest size compared to the monumental buildings of the city. In reality it is a restauration of the house of the notary Cogollo. Seems like someone suggests him to contact the famous architect.

Barbaran da Porto palace
Barbaran Da Porto palace by andrea palladio, in the historical center of vicenza.

Barbaran Da Porto palace

The count Barbarano

For sure the count Montano Barbarano was the owner of this palace. And since 1997 it houses the Center for Architecture Studies. Also it is in the name of Andrea Palladio who edited the project of the palace. The façade shows the Ionic and Corinthian orders. Hence fine plasters decorate the rooms and the lounge.

Civena Trissino palace
Civena Trissino palace by andrea palladio, historical centre of Vicenza, to visit by walking tour

Civena Trissino palace

A nursing center

Also this palace is a project of Andrea Palladio. And today it is a part of the Nursing Home Eretenia. Due for an enlargement that dates back the 1801. Therefore at the end of world war II they renovated the palace. Because heavy bombardments hit all the building.

Pojana palace
Pojana palace by Andrea Palladio, located in the historical center of Vicenza. City tour with Sightseeing in Italy

Pojana palace

Along the main street

This palace is at the numbers 90/94 of Corso Palladio. And most of all the project was to link another building of Vincenzo Pojana. This was possible thanks to an arch that still visible. And the signed drawing is at the Royal Institute of British Architects in London.

Da Schio palace
Schio palace Vicenza by Palladio, Italy

Schio palace Vicenza

A long work

In this Palace of Bernardo da Schio the architect draws the façade. But he follows the work casually. Just because he had engaged other construction sites in Venice. And without indications the stonemason stops the works. As a result they complete it in 1574-75.

Valmarana Braga Rosa
Valmarana Braga Rosa palace by Andrea Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour, city tour, day tour by sightseeing in Italy

Valmarana Braga Rosa palace

The supporters

The owners of this palace were the Valmarana. And for sure the family was one of the biggest supporters of Andrea Palladio. Hence for them the architect made this great façade. Most relevant is the giant order. As a result it covers the vertical development of the building.

Casa Garzadori Bortolan
Casa Garzadori Bortolan

Casa Garzadori Bortolan

The unachieved palace

For sure the commission of this palace is from the noble Garzadori. And the architect in charge was Palladio. But the death of the commissioner in the 1567 nullified the contract. Hence testimonies that date back to the 1564 support its attribution to the builder. Like also UNESCO recognized, at least one part was end.

Capra palace
Capra palace by andrea palladio in the historical center of vicenza. City tour with Sightseeing in Italy

Capra palace

The commercial center

As we can see now a day a commercial space incorporates this building. Hence looking the façade a pediment on four pilasters surmounts an arch. Seems like the noble Capra commissioned it in between the 1540 and the 1545. Hence the building suffered also a big change in the seventeenth century. And for sure due for the construction of the Palazzo Piovini. As a result it destroyed the original palace.

Da Monte Migliorini palace
Da Monte Migliorni palace by palladio, located in the historical center of Vicenza. City tour with Sightseeing in Italy

Da Monte Migliorni palace

Some other work

The Da Monte family is the owner of this palace. And also the building is just in front of the Dominican Convent of Santa Corona. For sure Palladio made the project to the family. Hence the UNESCO includes it in the World Heritage List like other works of the architect.

Iseppo da Porto palace
Iseppo Da Porto palace by Andrea Palladio, city tour with Sightseeing in Italy.

Iseppo Da Porto palace

A palace to a friend

Andrea Palladio designs for his friend Iseppo the Palace of the city. And also the Villa Molina in the village of Malo. But both buildings are incomplete. Therefore this palace had a better luck. Hence the complex has two residences. And today we can see the façade devided in three sections.

Thiene palace
Thiene palace by Andrea Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. City tour, walking tour by Sightseeing in Italy.

Thiene palace

A palace for nobles

What you see today, seems to be only part of an imposing restoration. Hence the Thiene family was the owner of this palace. And we talk about the brothers Marcantonio and Adriano. As a reslut they entrust Palladio to follow all the works. And seems like also Giulio Romano worked here.

Antonini Palace Udine
Antonini palace Udine, by palladio

Antonini palace Udine

A suburban villa in town

A young noble entrusts the construction of this palace. And his name was Floriano. Most relevant he was a member of one of the most prominent families. And also we talk about the aristocracy of the town of Udine. Seems like works modify the building over the centuries. Hence this palace is ambivalent. As a result it is possible to see a palace with a typology of suburban villa.

Chiericati palace
Chiericati Palace by andrea palladio in the historical center of vicenza. City tour with sightseeing in italy

Chiericati Palace

The museum in the town

This is a new project for the Palladian vision. As a result a city palace and a suburban villa. And in mid-seventeenth century they complete the building. Most relevant, on what was the river port of the city. Therefore since 1855 it houses the Museo Civico of Vicenza.

Dalla Torre Palace Verona
The palace in Verona

This is the only work of Andrea Palladio in the city of Verona. And hence the noble Dalla Torre entrusts the construction of the palace. Most relevant he had links of kinship with the nobles Valmarana and Thiene of Vicenza. As a result it is imperfect the knowledge of the real consistency of the building. Made even more difficult by an Allied bombing in 1945.

Porto Breganze palace
Porto Breganze palace by Andrea Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. City tour with Sightseeing in Italy

Porto Breganze palace

The giant columns

This palace is in piazza Castello. And it is evident that it is a Palladian construction site. Hence that was end before completion of the project. As a result the front view consists of giant columns. We can see three Corinthian half-columns and two intercolumns of seven planned.

Thiene Bonin Longare
Thiene Bonin Longare palace by Andrea Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour by Sightseeing in Italy

Thiene Bonin Longare palace

A Scamozzi work

The construction of this palace ends around the 1593. As a result Scamozzi made the works. And on the project of Andrea Palladio. Hence it is clear the paternity of the architect. However the owner of the building is Thiene Bonin Longare. And today it houses the headquarters of the Industrialists.

Public works by Palladio
Olympic Theater
Olympic theatre by andrea palladio in the historical center of vicenza. walking tour, city tour by Sightseeing in Italy

Olympic theatre

The theatre that we continue to use

Palladio’s last work is one of his greatest. Hence the construction begins in the 1580, just before Palladio died. And his pupil Scamozzi completes it. Therefore the theater is a wood and stucco festival. Furthermore we can see classic columns, statues and a stage bursting with perspective tricks. And behind the stage, framed by a triumphal arch, five streets recede at different angles. In contrast to the stunning stage, the audience’s wooden benches are simple and crude. One of the oldest indoor theaters in Europe and one of the world’s best, it still uses for performances.

Loggia del Capitaniato
Loggia del Capitaniato by Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour, day tour with professional guide by Sightseeing in Italy

Loggia del Capitaniato

With a Middle Ages building

This building was the headquarter of the Venetian governor. And today it houses the City Council. Hence Palladio got the task to rebuild the existing building of the Middle Ages. And seems like after 20 years of the project of the Basilica’s loggias. Therefore the façade onto the Contra’ del Monte would be as a sort of triumphal arch. In fact it reports the victory of the Venetian forces against the Turks at the battle of Lepanto in October 1571.

The Ponte Vecchio
The Ponte Vecchio by Andrea Palladio, along the Brenta river in Bassano del Grappa.

The Ponte Vecchio

The wooden bridge

Bassano del Grappa is the town where we can find this bridge. We also call it Ponte degli Alpini (Alpini’s bridge). Hence Andrea Palladio designed this covered wooden bridge in the 1569. Therefore the bridge collapsed many time during the centuries for destructive flood. And the last time in World War II. But the reconstruction respects always the Palladio’s design. The bridge spans the river Brenta.

Valmarana Chapel - Vicenza
Valmarana chapel Vicenza by Palladio, in the Santa Corona church

Valmarana chapel Vicenza

The chapel in Santa Corona church

Andrea Palladio made this chapel in the 1576. Maybe after the death of the noble Antonio Valmarana. And the location is in the crypt of St Corona, one of the most important churches. Also the tomb of Palladio was in this church. But today his chapel is in the cemetery of the city. In the same years Palladio designed the lateral chapels of the church of the Redentore in Venice. Hence arranging in sequence a series of spaces identic to the one of this Chapel.

Stone bridge on Tesina river
Bridge over the River Tesina Palladio took as his model the bridge of Augustus and Tiberius built between 14 and 21 AD in Rimini

Bridge over the River Tesina

The model of an ancient bridge

The bridge with three arches spans the Tesina river in the village of Torri di Quartesolo. And maybe the project originates from an idea of Palladio in the 1569. However the construction starts in the 1580. Hence Groppino was the supervisor of the works. Seems like Palladio took as his model a work of the ancient Rome period that he had seen and appreciated in Rimini. And from which derive the tabernacles placed against the pillars. We talk about  the bridge of Augustus and Tiberius built between 14 and 21 AD. As a result this stone bridge is the only one of Andrea Palladio and joint to the present days.

The Basilica Palladiana
Basilica Palladiana by Andrea Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour, city tour with professional guide by Sightseeing in Italy

Basilica Palladiana

A structure based on serliana

This building is the admission of Palladio to the elite of the architects of his time.  Hence in the 1546 they approve his design for a new façade of the pre existing building. And his project prevails over the ones of important architects of that time. Therefore the basilica had  works over the centuries. And for sure until the present years, from 2007 to 2009. Furthermore 60 years after the restoration works following the bombing of Word War II.

Cathedral dome and portal
Dome of the Cathedral by Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour, day tour with professional guide by Sightseeing in Italy

Dome of the Cathedral

Portal of the Cathedral by Palladio in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour, day tour with professional guide by Sightseeing in Italy

Portal of the Cathedral

The cathedral in the town of Vicenza

Palladio made the dome around the 1565, almost twenty years after the work of the apse. Furthermore the north side door, a replacing of a gothic one, was open in the 1575. And Paolo Almerico was the comissioner. Hence he was the owner of Villa La Rotonda. The lantern was also on the summit of the cupolas of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice that dates of the same years. And it is also present in some reconstructions of antique temples. Hence like the Mausoleum of Romulus.

Loggia Valmarana Salvi garden
Loggia Valmarana by Andrea Palladio, in the historical center of Vicenza. Walking tour, day tour with professional guide by Sightseeing in Italy

Loggia Valmarana

The garden close to the western medieval gate

First of all a triangular pediment is on the loggia of six Doric columns. And as a result the building is in the Salvi gardens of Vicenza. Seems like it follows a project close to the Palladian style, if not by the same architect. Hence UNESCO in the 1994 attributes it to Andrea Palladio.

Palladio in Venice
the Most Holy Redeemer
Church Redentore Venice, work by Andrea Palladio conceived as a final station for the procession of the Redeemer's day, it is the votive temple wanted by the Senate after the plague of 1576.

Church of the Most Holy Redeemer

This church was the final station for the procession of the Redeemer’s day. And the Senate wanted this votive temple after the plague of 1576. Hence Palladio started the construction and Da Ponte completed it in the 1592. In summer 1575 a terrible plague hits Venice that in two years will cause 50000 deaths. Almost one Venetian in three. In September 1576, when the plague seemed invincible against human efforts, the Senate pleaded for divine help. They vote to build a new church dedicated to the Redeemer.

The project

And in May 1577 it laid the first stone of Palladio’s project. As a result on July 20th of the same year the end of the plague is celebrated with a procession to the church across a pontoon bridge. Especially relevant  this event starts a tradition that continues today. In the façade of the church of the Redeemer, Palladio attained the highest result of his Venetian experience.

San Francesco della Vigna
San Francesco della Vigna in Venice is located in Campo San Francesco della Vigna, in the Castello district, off the normal tourist routes. The facade is a work of Palladio

San Francesco della Vigna

This church is located in Campo San Francesco della Vigna, off the tourist routes. First of all founded in the Gothic style for the Franciscans in 1300, Jacopo Sansovino rebuilt it since 1534. For sure the project of the architect presents mature Renaissance principles.

The noble Venetians

Hence in 1564 Andrea Palladio starts the construction of the façade. And thanks to the support of Daniele Barbaro, he manages to get the job to build it. However it excludes the first architect from the project. Seems like most of Venetian preferred the Palladian style.

Church of the Zitelle
Church Le Zitelle (spinsters) Venice, a work by andrea palladio, is located at the eastern end of the Giudecca island

Church Le Zitelle

At the eastern end of the Giudecca island, in Venice, the Church of St Mary of the Presentation known as Zitelle (spinsters). However this religious complex of the Spinsters known as St Mary of the Presentation was built in 1579-86 following Palladio’s project.

The complex

Anyway the two symmetrical wings beside the church were hospice for young poor girls. For sure the complex gives a clear architectural unity. Furthermore inside the church there is a large square room. Anyhow the Jesuit Benedetto Palmi creates the church to assist poor girls. Hence today the building is part of an ecclesiastic complex.

San Pietro in Castello
San Pietro in Castello located at the eastern end of Venice, was almost certainly the first inhabited of the entire island city, hosting from the 800 to 1807 the religious power of Venice.

San Pietro in Castello

The island of San Pietro is located at the eastern end of Venice. Seems like first inhabited of the area. And nowadays the place presents it self secluded and picturesque. Furthermore the religious power was here from 800 to 1807. Hence the campo San Pietro is open in front of a wide channel with the same name. And it is a corner where dominates the isolated Renaissance bell tower.

Vincenzo Diedo

Therefore Palladio made the project of the monumental façade of the church. And this was his first work in Venice. But just two years after the works interrupted due to the death of the customer, the patriarch Vincenzo Diedo. They will be completed much later, in the late sixteenth century. The actual façade does not reflect exactly Palladio’s design, but it reports his essential lines.

San Giorgio Maggiore
San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice was begun by Palladio in 1566 and finished in the first half of the seventeenth century after his death.

San Giorgio Maggiore

From Saint Mark square the island of San Giorgio Maggiore has one of the most beautiful views of Venice. Especially relevant greatest painters of all time made this place so famous. Here Palladio starts the construction of the building in 1566. Hence the church is finished the first half of the seventeenth century after his death.

The church and Vasari

The construction of this big church is undoubtedly his most complex and difficult building site. Palladio began the works after the end of the refectory. The church in a scale to the approval of the customer will arouse admiration in Vasari passing in Venice. Seems like the ancient Roman thermal baths inspired the architect. For sure he admires the ruins during his journey in Rome.

Doge’s Palace
Doges Palace Venice with works by Andrea Palladio in some of the representation rooms on the piano nobile destroyed by fire

Doge’s Palace

On May 11th 1574 a fire destroyed some of the Doge’s Palace Piano Nobile rooms in Venice. Therefore Andrea Palladio takes the work to restore some rooms. And we can find his hand in three rooms.

The Piano Nobile rooms

In conclusion the rooms are the “Sala delle Quattro Porte“, the “Anticollegio” and the “Sala del Collegio“. Furthermore we find him for a second restauration on 1577 and 1578.

A sightseeing tour

Andrea Palladio is the father of the Venetian architecture of the Renaissance and all of his buildings are masterpieces worldwide known. In order to discover them, we can suggest some day tour excursions in the Veneto region where you can find solutions that can satisfy you. Don’t hesitate to contact us.

Andrea Palladio the architect of the Renaissance

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