Villa Saraceno

The Villa Saraceno at Finale di Agugliaro in the province of Vicenza, Veneto was designed by Andrea Palladio in 1545. It is one of the oldest and simplest villas Paladios and is in his work Quattro libri dell'architettura contain (II, ch. 15). In the draft the manor of two striking economy wings flanked with open porticos which meet at right angles on two cylindrical towers, then protrude forward and, thus, form a rural courtyard, the landlord could see. But was in fact only realized the mansion.

History

The Client

Client Palladio was Biagio Saraceno from Vicenza, the Palladian Villa should build as a summer residence and as agricultural property. On the site there was already an estate of the family.. Palladio The design dates back to 1543 When the construction was completed, can be determined from the sources do not reveal any gaps: 1546 is still the old manor house mentioned in 1555, the new building of Palladio. Perhaps the completion falls in the year 1548, as Saraceno took over a high political office in Vicenza. An elderly family villa, also from the 16th century, Palazzo delle Trombe, is in the immediate area on the opposite side of Via Finale close to the junction in the village.

Conversions and extensions

In the 17th century, a business wing was built; Today's business wing is a new building from the 19th century after a fire had led to the collapse of the previous building. The villa itself has also been modified several times: In the 17th century, the interior was re- divided - the original proportions of the Palladian rooms were thus lost, as well as additional door and window openings were made in the facade. In the 19th century these were closed as part of the restoration of the original state.

1989 acquired British Landmark Trust, a private organization for historic preservation, the villa and had them fully restored. Also renovated and set up as holiday homes were the estate includes former farmhouses that were not designed by Palladio. Among recent guests of the villa is one of the American architect and university professor Witold Rybczynski, the villa in the course of research for his book, The Perfect House: A Journey has visited with Renaissance master Andrea Palladio. 1996 Villa by Unesco with other villas of Palladio was declared a World Heritage Site.

Interior

Inside the villa there are frescoes unknown painter. In the central hall there is a particularly magnificent stone lattice.