There are plenty of amazing architectural gems located all around Italy that are then further enhanced and complemented by artistic decorations inside the property such as frescoes, sculptures, paintings, and more. As it is Italy and has long been a hotspot for great creative talent it is not uncommon, therefore, to come across two, or many more, wildly famous and world-renowned artists at work in the same great house. This is very much the case at the Villa Barbaro, or Villa di Maser, one of the stunning villas that was formerly the sprawling home estate of the noble stock of Veneto and was designed by the impossibly influential and incredibly gifted architect Palladio. Inside, the talent continues in abundance with truly stunning frescoes by lauded painter Veronese, among other great talents. Those who were considering a vacation rental in Veneto, therefore, who consider themselves fans of beauty, art, architecture, and/or culture should definitely add it to their list of must-see gems in the region as it is a true masterpiece and utterly breathtaking.
Located in Maser, the Villa Barbaro is built on land that was first owned by the Arbil and then the Giustiniani families, before it eventually came into the hands of the Barbaro family. The exact date of when construction of the villa by the Barbaro clan on this land is unclear and often hotly debated by historians but likely took place between 1560 and 1570. The design was overseen by master architect Andrea Palladio, who also built many of the other great houses of Veneto from this period and would go on to inspire the neoclassical movement of architecture and the design of buildings in many other locations all over the world centuries later. Set within a large park, Palladio’s design for this building features a central block flanked by two symmetrical wings that are terminated by pavilions featuring large sundials positioned underneath their pediments. These pavilions were intended to house dovecotes upstairs and wine-making spaces, stables, and rooms for domestic use on the lower floors and came to be a signature of his work that was much copied by later admirers. The central block, meanwhile, resembles the portico of a Roman temple and has four Ionic columns, taking inspiration from the Temple of Fortuna Virilis in Rome, and is crowned by a large pediment featuring heraldic symbols of the Barbaro family. There is also a latin inscription on the entablature dedicating the villa to the patriarch of the family reading, "Daniel Barbaro, Patriarch of Aquileia, and Marcantonio his brother, sons of Francesco Barbaro". Palladio was also called to design a little church for the village of Maser, the lovely Tempietto Barbaro, which is well worth examining while in the area. And, though he normally had no involvement in garden design, Palladio furthermore contributed to the creation of the charming nymphaeum that is part of the beautiful estate.
The impressive exterior and architectural plan of the Villa Barbaro is enhanced its lovely interiors, which, as noted, feature frescoes by the beloved painter Paolo Veronese. Born in Verona (ergo, the name), the painter worked primarily in Venice throughout his career and the Barbaro family were one of his great patrons. Creating dramatic classical scenes in stunning jewel tones, he decorated six rooms on the piano nobile. This is considered his most important fresco cycle and, like Palladio’s work, would inspire many contemporaries and artists who would follow in years to come. Dated to the beginning of the 1560s, or slightly before, the rooms and paintings of the cycle include: the Hall of Olympus, with its images of the mistress of the house, Giustiniana, with her youngest son, wetnurse, and family pets; The Room of the Little Dog, with a second image of the family’s pet dog; The Crociera room with paintings of imaginary landscapes and members of staff at the villa peering around trompe-l'œil doors; The Room of the Oil Lamp; The Bacchus Room with images of winemaking; and the north salon with its ceiling painted in images of the planets represented by classical deities. Sculptural details and stucco work throughout the interiors were also provided by the Venetian Mannerist sculptor Alessandro Vittoria. With so many incredible works of art and designs to be seen in one spot, it is an absolutely extraordinary must-see for those who have found a vacation rental in Veneto and who are spending time exploring this part of Italy.
When the Barbaro family died out, the villa passed through the female line and came into the ownership of first the Trevisan and then the Basadonna families before landing in the hands of the Manins. Ludovico Manin, who was the last of Venice’s doges, eventually sold it to the man who had been renting the property for some time from him, Gian Battista Colferai. After this, unfortunately, the villa fell into ruin before being purchased by the wealthy industrialist Sante Giacomelli in 1850. Under his care, renovations began, with artists such as Zanotti and Eugene Moretti Larese commissioned to work on it. Then, during the Great War, it was used by the Italian Third Army as a base. Finally, in the 1930s, Count Giuseppe Volpi di Misurata, the founder of the Venice Film Festival, purchased the property for his daughter Marina and, under her care, the restoration work could be completed. To this day, it remains occupied by her descendants but is now open to the public for visits and is a functioning farm and winery. Designated a UNESCO site as part of the, "City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto," in 1996, this incredible gem makes for an ideal place to enjoy a day out while enjoing a holiday rental in Veneto where you can pair incredibly beautiful art and surroundings with some delicious wines – sounds pretty darn good to us!
If you have found a villa in Veneto of your own and are planning a visit to the Villa Barbaro then you can pay to join a tour taking you through the six rooms frescoed by Veronese (it is still a family home and so some of it is not open to the public, as a result). Making reservations in advance is recommended as it can be busy, especially at weekends and group reservations are always required. You can do so by emailing visite@villadimaser.it or calling them at +39 0423 923004. Please note, that during the opening hours of the Villa Barbaro the gardens are also open to the public for free. Wine-tasting at the winery is also an option, though as of writing this article, this service has currently been temporarily halted. When it is offered, however, it can be enjoyed with a some cured meats and cheeses from the area for €10 per person. If you like the wines after sampling them or didn’t get a chance to try a tasting but still want to see what they are like, they can always be bought in the Villa Barbaro gift shop, along with various other souvenirs and gifts.
So, if you are interested in architecture, art, pretty grounds and surroundings, and wine, then be sure to pay a visit to this incredible historic gem while staying in a vacation rental in Veneto as it truly is one of the finest examples to be found in all of Italy.