La Veneziana

A Renaissance dream

Set on the borders of the idyllic landscape of the Eugenean hills south west of Padua, this magnificent villa dating back to the 1500's was once the hunting lodge of an aristocratic family.

The villa, accomplished in 1568, was designed and decorated by the architect and painter Dario Varotari, a pupil of Veronese. Originally planned as a hunting lodge it was also used as a theatre because of its scenic qualities. Lately it starred as Portia´s house in the 2004 movie version of Shakespeares the "Merchant of Venice" with Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons and Joseph Fiennes. Today the villa belongs to a direct descendant of the same family, who meticulously restored this gem of Italian Renaissance architecure.

Stone lions guard the tall villa gates, the drive winds up through the vineyards of a renowned wine estate. The estate comprises the large La Veneziana Villa, furthermore a smaller medieval citadel with the cellars and the administrative centre of the vineyard and further four guest apartments located near to the administrative centre.

The villa is truly unique because of its perfectly square shape with 2 storeys of loggias on all fours sides of the building. 4 rooms on the ground floor and identical 4 rooms on the first floor open up onto the loggias. Each room is decorated with exquisit frescoes. There is for instance the so-called "room of the villas" which depicts all the villas owned by the family.

Adjacent to the villa is an 18 hole golf course and a top restaurant, dependance to the Michelin 3 star Le Calandre run by the same family. You will also find a olympic sized pool at the Golf Club. Furthermore La Veneziana has a private pool (see the picture gallery on the left).

Ground floor
1 living room
1 dining room
1 double bedroom with bathroom
1 double bedroom with bathroom (one floor below)

Upper floor
1 drawing room with TV, DVD and stereo sound system
1 study
2 double bedrooms, each with bathroom
1 single bedroom

Mezzanine
1 double bedroom
1 single bedroom
1 bathroom

Basement
1 kitchen
1 breakfast room
1 bathroom
1 laundry
2 WC
1 changing room and shower

Garden
Italian garden surrounding the house, the vineyards of the estate are beyond
Loggia for outdoor meals
Sheltered terraced pool area, pool is equipped with sunbeds and parasols
Comfortable garden furniture
Garage for two cars
Automatic gate with access code

Activities & Places of interest

The Venetian Villas: The hinterland of Venice is famous for the numerous villas (apparently more than 3.000) built between the 15th and the 19th century by whealthy venetians. Some of them are open to the public, for instance Villa Barbaro in Maser, Villa Emo in Fanzolo, and the Villa La Rotonda just outside Vicenza. Other interesting villas are the Villa Valmarana with frescoes by Tiepolo, the Catajo Castle and Villa Barbarigo which has a baroque garden with boxwood labyrinth.

The main cultural landmarks of northern Italy La Veneziana`s strategic location makes easy day trips to Padua, Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Ferrara, lake Garda, Este, Montagnana, Monselice, or Arqua`Petrarca. Each of these towns offers highly interesting sight-seeing. In Padua you will not want to miss "Cappella degli Scrovegni" with wall to wall frescoes by Giotto. This work of art is considered to be the beginning of the Renaissance.

The Spas at Abano: The town of Abano Terme lies 2 km from Montecchia. In Abano water rich in minerals rises to the surface at a temperature of 70° to 80°C. A half or full day at one of the many spas is a wonderful way to recuperate your inner strength.

The wines of the estate: The wine of this estate has increasingly been winning accolades from leading wine critics all over the world. In 2008 one of their wines was awarded the highest Italian qualification, the "tre bicchieri" (three glasses) of the guide Gambero Rosso Slow Food. Guests can taste and buy the wines on the premises (special rates for guests).

Sports

Adjacent to the estate is an 18-hole golf course designed by Tom McCaulay, Chairman of the British Association of Golf Course Architects. Two further 18 hole golf clubs are in the near surroundings, both at a distance of 15 minutes by car.

A large outdoor pool belongs to the Golf Club and is available for the guests four days a week. Furthermore La Veneziana has a private pool (see the picture gallery MORE PICTURES, scrolling up on the left).

A tennis club lies only 1 km down the road from the estate.