Piazzola sul Brenta

Departure from Venice Piazzale Roma to Piazzola sul Brenta, approx. 50 Km

Piazzola sul Brenta is a small settlement already mentioned since the 10th and 11th century. Its territory is rich with traces of an important past.

Villa Contarini is its symbol.

One of the boldest example of venetian villa, a building conceived to fulfil the venetian aristocracy’s specific needs when the Serenissima extended massively its land estates in the Venetian and Friulian mainland. Villas had to respond to administrative, organisational, representative and recreational criteria. Almost all the venetian villas have been built in the middle of the lands. Close to the main building, there were colonnades, storage rooms, farmers’ houses and other rural annexes.

Villa Contarini dates back to the 16th century and offers to visitor traces of life, work and richness such as the Tempietto del Temanza, named after its designer and famous for its entrance through a 15 metres gallery and the Loco delle Vergini wanted by Marco Contarini to welcome needy orphan girls. The Jutificio, a former jute factory, was supposed to turn Piazzola’s agricultural centre to a small industrial town.

Lunch in a holiday farm: grilled meat, polenta and cheeses.

In the afternoon, visit to Villa Trieste and Villa Paccagnella.

Return to Venice.