TOURS: 4. The UNESCO Site “The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto” (Villa Foscari-La Malcontenta - in the City of Mira, Province of Venice); From Padova to Venice, along the Brenta Riviera

processing of image from the site www.padovanavigazione.it

The Portello is the historical pier also appearing in some of the paintings by Canaletto. From its pier on the Padova riverside ring, visitors can board one of the cruise ships sailing on the Piovego Canal (13th Century) and along the Brenta Riviera, in the Venetian territory. Many Venetian Villas overlooking the river can be admired from the boat, among them Villa Giovannelli, at Noventa Padovana (in the Province of Padova), Villa Pisani, at Strà, Villa Foscari – also called La Malcontenta in Mira, which is part of the Unesco Site “The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas in the Veneto”. The boat finally reaches the lagoon and the city centre of Venice.

2.a From Padova to Venice, along the Brenta Riviera The Riviera del Brenta favoured by Casanova, Galileo, Byron and D’Annunzio, painted by Tiepolo and Canaletto, described by Goethe and Goldoni, hosted French and Russian Royal Families. Even Napoleon, the Hapsburgs, and the Savoys stayed here. Considered and lived in as countryside houses by the Venetian aristocracy, the long line of villas lining the Riviera were designed and frescoed by outstanding Italian artists. In these residential farms, the aristocracy used to sail around in a cortège of water boats, or throw lavish dinners, not to mention the parties lasting into the small hours of the night. Being so close to the city, the wealthiest aristocracy used to spend their holidays here. As it was the habit then, they sailed from Venice on gondolas, on “Peote”, or on comfortable riverboats called Burchielli which were hauled upriver by ox or horses until Padova along the Brenta riverway. Goods, on the other hand, were loaded and shipped on barges called Burci.

1. Develompment planimetric waterways Piove and Naviglio Brenta

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As in the past times, the Burchiello is still today a regular tourist transport service connecting Padova to Venice and viceversa via the Brenta Riviera. Other boats are still sailing on the river, some of them are old-styled, some modern, a few are traditional and romantic old wooden barges like the burci. Witness and heirs of the historical heritage, such modern, comfortable, and panoramic boats slowly cruise the Brenta river. During the trip tourist guides on board tell about the historical, cultural and artistic heritage of the Villas of the Brenta Riviera. A few of them have been turned into hotels, as well as restaurants offering recipes from the traditional cooking.

2. Villa Giovannelli - Noventa Padovana

3. Villa Widmann - Mira (VE)

Pictures and texts courtesy of the website www.padovanavigazione.it

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4. Villa Pisani - park view from behind - Strà (VE) Picture courtesy of the website www.rivieradelbrenta.biz

Tours and Infos, useful Links:

www.padovanavigazione.it www.ilburchiello.it www.rivieradelbrenta.biz www.irvv.net

The same tour offer applies to the bicyclists. Riders can take the same routes followed by the boats sailing the Brenta river long ago. One after another, there is no end to the long line of villas: Villa Giovannelli, Villa Foscarini Rossi, Villa Pisani, Villa Widmann, Barchessa Valmarana, Villa Foscari la Malcontenta just to mention a few.

Departure: Padova Arrival: Venice Length: 40 kms Tour time: 1 day Difficulty level: easy Altitude: none

5. Cycle route aloung the Riviera del Brenta

Right past the amazing Palladian villa of Malcontenta, riders reach the city of Mestre. It is recommended to leave the bicycle at the supervised parking lot of the railway station and take the train to Venice, the spectacular destination of this trip across treasures of art and architecture . Bicycles can be exchanged with boats

Pictures and textx courtesy of the website ww.turismopadova.it/padovainbici

Tours and Infos, useful Links: www.turismopadova.it/padovainbici www.amici-della-bicicletta-pd.it

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2.b The UNESCO Site “The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto” (Villa Foscari - La

Malcontenta - in the City of Mira, Province of Venice) First in-scripted into the World Heritage List in 1996, this Villa is located on the edge of the Venice Lagoon along the Brenta river. Alvise and Nicolò Foscari had the Villa built for a sub-urban use between 1555 and 1558. Its design by the architect Andrea Palladio was inspired by the large proportions of a Roman thermal bath. This is evidenced by the quite unusual ceiling of the main lobby which is two stories high. The frescoes structure is also quite impressive.

6. Villa Foscari, named “la Malcontenta” – Mira (VE)

Picture courtesy of the website www.ilburchiello.it

7. Inside the Villa Picture courtesy of the website: www.lamalcontenta.com

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8. Plan of framing Picture from the Management Plan of the Site “The City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto”

The site's preservation and valorisation is dealt with by the responsible authorities that are in charge of the specific Management Plan.

Tours and Infos, useful Links:

www.vicenzaforumcenter.it www.lamalcontenta.com www.irvv.net whc.unesco.org

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