ActivityPhoto Wikimedia CommonsVilla dei Vescovi
Italy
A precious gem set in the Euganean Hills. Villa dei Vescovi, the ancient holiday residence of the high prelates of Padua, dates back to the first half of the 16th century and is the result of a series of transformations, decorations and extensions. It will be exciting to be enchanted by the harmonious way in which the building binds itself to the surrounding landscape and by the beauty of the Euganean Hills seen through the great arches of the loggias and the hanging courtyard. Inside the Villa we will pass through the noble rooms, the bedroom, the lounges and the large and luminous hall where our eyes will be gladdened, step by step, by Lambert Sustris' splendid cycle of frescoes with bucolic motifs.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Luvignano, where the rolling verdure of the Euganean Hills, or Kol-lee Yoo-ga-nay, provides the dramatic backdrop for one of the most significant architectural experiments of the Italian Renaissance: the Villa dei…
Listen in the app2The Grand Staircase and Entry Courtyard
We begin our ascent at the grand staircase, a feature added slightly later than the main structure by the architect Andrea da Valle. As you climb these steps, feel the deliberate transition from the humble earth to the elevated…
Listen in the app3The Rusticated Base and Giulio Romano's Touch
As we move around the lower level of the villa, pay close attention to the heavy, textured stonework known as 'rustication.' This is where we see the hand of the great Mannerist master, Giulio Romano. Romano was brought in after…
Listen in the app4The East Loggia and Panoramic Vistas
Let us ascend to the East Loggia, perhaps the most enchanting space in the entire villa. These open-air galleries are the signature feature of Falconetto’s design. …
Listen in the app5The Piano Nobile and the Hall of Figures
Step inside the 'Piano Nobile,' the noble floor, and enter the Hall of Figures. The atmosphere changes here; the light is more controlled, and the air is thick with the scent of aged wood and plaster. …
Listen in the app6The Attic Apartments and Modern Stewardship
As we conclude our interior tour, we look up toward the upper reaches of the villa, where the 'Mansarda del Vigneto' and 'Mansarda del Frutteto'—the vineyard and orchard attics—are located. These spaces represent a unique and…
Listen in the app7Modern Stewardship: The Olcese Legacy and FAI
The survival of Villa dei Vescovi in its current state is largely thanks to the intervention of the art historian Roberto Longhi and the businessman Vittorio Olcese. In 1962, concerned that this architectural treasure was falling…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we stand once more on the grounds of Villa dei Vescovi, overlooking the geometric beauty of the vineyards and the soft curves of the Euganean Hills, we are reminded of the profound impact this single building has had on the…
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What is Villa dei Vescovi?
Villa dei Vescovi is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Activity |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 45.3418, 11.7112 |
| Last updated |