Castle of Thiene - Vicenza - Villa Valmarana ai Nani - Padua

Route: Venice - Castle of Thiene - Vicenza - Villa Valmarana ai Nani - Padua - Venice
Duration: 10 h
Firstly we will visit to the Castle of Thiene is considered the most notable 15th-century, Gothic building raised in the Vicenza area for civil use. It is an extraordinary example of a pre-Palladio villa, the only one of its kind and a benchmark in the evolution of the Veneto villa. The building was began raising this building in around 1450. Francesco Porto junior (1472-1554, grandson of the founder) commissioned extension works (raising the granary level), the enhancement of the garden with maze, fountain and statues (whose memory remains only in documents), the building of stone staircases and decoration of the facades (in Venetian tradition) with big horses and medallions featuring Roman emperors. The original layout has been altered over more than 500 years of conversions, adjustments, extensions and maintenance, creating a very interesting and constantly evolving layering of functions, materials, furnishings and decorations, still far from being completely revealed. The Castle, now the symbol of Thiene, is still a private building looked after passionately by its current owners, the Conti di Thiene, who are committed to upgrading this vast monumental complex to ensure it can always be enjoyed by scholars, visitors and the simply curious. Next we will visit to Vicenza which is, in fact, one of Italy's cities with the highest number of monumental complexes compared to its extension. This makes it a real unexpected jewel to those visitors who take a walk in the old town centre. A great part of the architectural works by Palladio was created in the Vicenza territory, starting from 1540. The architect worked without distinction both for private and public clients, thus helping to profoundly change the city's aspect. The works of Palladio have left such a profound mark in Province that it has become an artistic reference point as well as cultural. The outstanding relation between the villas and the countryside in the Vicentino area as well as the buildings in the city and the country villas in the Vicenza Province reveal therefore , a characteristic of unity, sealed with its inscription in the World Heritage List of the UNESCO. The works of Andrea Palladio was imitated all over the world. No less than 16 of the 23 villas designed by this great architect are found in the Vicenza territory.  You will know about Palladio and the age that produced such architectural wonders, as well as the earlier Venetian gothic and typical medieval styles. We will see Piazza Castello, Torre degli Scaligeri, Palazzo Bonin Longare, Piazza Duomo, Casa Pigafetta, Piazza dei Signori, Basilica Palladiana, Palazzo del Capitanio, Chiesa di San Vincenzo, Monte di Pietà, Palazzo Thiene di Lorenzo da Bologna Chiesa di Santo Stefano, Palazzo Sesso Zen Fontana, Palazzo Negri, Palazzo Thiene di Andrea Palladio, Cà d'Oro, Palazzo, Cogollo Teatro Olimpico, Palazzo Chiericati, Palazzo Barbaran Porto, Palazzo Porto Breganze, Palazzo Colleoni Porto, Palazzo Iseppo Porto. Teatro Olimpico, Palladio’s last work and the oldest surviving theatre of the Italian Renaissance, with the original scenery made for the first performance.Next we will visit to theVilla Valmarana ai Nani is composed of three buildings, the Palazzina (Owners’ Residence) built in 1669, the Foresteria (Guest-House) and the Scuderia (Stables) built in 1720. They are embraced by a large historical park with rose gardens, a "giardino all'italiana" with its open air theatre and well, a double hornbeams alley terminating with a statue of Neptune.The Villa takes its name from the statues of the 17 stone dwarfs, originally placed in the garden, now on the walls surrounding the house and which inspired the Villa's legend of Princess Layana. The Palazzina and the Foresteria are frescoed  by Giambattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo, hired in 1757 by Giustino Valmarana.The guided tour of the Villa is a unique experience that fascinates and amazes. From the legend of Princess Layana to the visit of Goethe, the secrets and the amazing and bucolic scenarios are revealed.Next we will visit to Padua where discover mediaeval buildings, cobbled squares and streets in beautiful city full of history and art. Our Padua walking tour discover the most beautiful attractions of its historic city center, from the main square, Piazza dei Signori, to Bo Palace the historical seat of the University of the city. Moreover, you will visit the Duomo Square, in front of the Padua Cathedral, the Basilica of St Anthony of Padua and the most ancient church of the city - the Santa Sofia Church, Palazzo della Ragione, University of Padova, Scrovegni Chapel . You will fall in love with this bustling university city, which dates back over 2,000 years. After we will return to Venice.
Price: per person