Perched on the slopes of San Bastian Hill overlooking the Valletta del Silenzio (Valley of Silence), the 17th-century Villa Valmarana ai Nani is the residence of the aristocratic Valmarana family and considered among the most elegant of the Venetian villas surrounding Vicenza. Take a day trip from Venice to admire the sumptuous architecture and frescoes, as well as the rose gardens, open-air theater, and hornbeam-lined lane leading to a statue of Neptune. Not far from Villa Capra, also known as La Rotonda, Villa Valmarana ai Nani can easily be paired with a tour of the Palladian villas along the Brenta River.
Touring the villa and gardens requires a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen.
There is a café on-site with a shaded outdoor terrace. There’s also a bookshop.
Parts of the villa complex are wheelchair accessible.
A day trip to Villa Valmarana ai Nani is especially rewarding for enthusiasts of art and historic gardens.
Villa Valmarana ai Nani is just south of Vicenza, about 1 hour east of Venice by car. The most convenient way to visit the villa is with a tour that includes round-trip transportation, as there is no direct route via public transportation.
One of the villa’s main draws is its beautiful gardens, which are in full bloom in the spring and fall. The villa is open daily, though its hours change seasonally; it's closed on Christmas Day.
The region of Veneto is home to a number of villas built in the 16th century by Italian architect Andrea Palladio, together known as the Palladian villas. Among the most famous are Villa Capra (or La Rotonda), an excellent example of the architect’s skill in blending his villas with the surrounding landscape; Villa Emo, decorated with a fresco cycle by Giambattista Zelotti; and Villa Barbaro, considered Palladio’s masterpiece.
