The Villa Pisani at Stra was built in the 18th century for the wealthy Venetian Pisani family to celebrate the election of Alvise Pisani as Doge (ruler of Venice). Designed by Francesco Maria Preti, though commissioned from Girolamo Fringimelica, work was begun in 1735. It is much more formal and imposing than most Venetian villas and presents an extraordinary façade rich in elaborate ornamentation with festoons, caryatids, putti and statues. The property did not spend long in the hands of the Pisani family; it was bought by Napoleon in 1807 and given to his adoptive son, the Viceroy of Italy. After a period in the possession of the Savoy family, it became the property of the Italian state.
Also known as the “Nazionale”, Villa Pisani now houses a National Museum featuring frescoes, paintings and original furniture in their original setting. Several rooms were painted with elaborate schemes such as the room of the Triumph of Bacchus, the room of holiday and the room of the arts. The ballroom features The Glory of the Pisani Family by Giambattista Tiepolo, an allegoric fresco with figures lying on pink clouds, against an infinite, clear sky.
The gardens of the villa were awarded the prize for Most Beautiful Park in Italy in 2008. It combines French and English garden styles and has been restored in recent years, preserving its rich botany collection. Open daily from 9.00-19.00 from April to September and Tuesday-Sunday from 9.00-16.00 from October to March, one of the most interesting parts of these stunning gardens is the labyrinth. Nicknamed the “Labyrinth of Love”, it is one of the biggest in Europe.
The gardens of the villa were awarded the prize for Most Beautiful Park in Italy in 2008. It combines French and English garden styles and has been restored in recent years, preserving its rich botany collection. Open daily from 9.00-19.00 from April to September and Tuesday-Sunday from 9.00-16.00 from October to March, one of the most interesting parts of these stunning gardens is the labyrinth. Nicknamed the “Labyrinth of Love”, it is one of the biggest in Europe.
It is formed of a classic medieval circular path with nine concentric repeating patterns and many dead ends surrounding a small tower in the centre. Designed by Girolamo Frigimelica and constructed in 1720 before the villa was yet built, local lore tells that Napoleon got lost during his brief one night stay before handing over the property and that when Hitler and Mussolini held talks there in 1934, they were too afraid to try it out for themselves. Considered rather difficult, it is solved without too much difficulty if attention is paid. Once you reach the centre and view it from the top of the tower there, getting back out should be no problem! Bear in mind, however, that it is not always open. A sign at the gift shop/box office will let you know if it is open or closed on any given day.
If this sounds interesting to you, it might be an idea to find a holiday rental in Veneto and spend a day getting lost in the labyrinth! Villa Pisani is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stunning villas in the Veneto region – even if it is the most imposing.
If this sounds interesting to you, it might be an idea to find a holiday rental in Veneto and spend a day getting lost in the labyrinth! Villa Pisani is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to stunning villas in the Veneto region – even if it is the most imposing.
Photo credits
picture 2: Armagnac-commons / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Patrick Denker / CC BY 2.0
picture 2: Armagnac-commons / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Patrick Denker / CC BY 2.0
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