The Villa dei Vescovi is a

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) , from , with the same meanings. is a period in European history The history of Europe is traditionally divided into four time periods: prehistoric Europe (prior to about 800 BC), classical antiquity (800 BC to AD ...

-style, rural palatial home located in the neighborhood or frazione of Luvigliano, within the city limits of Torreglia, province of Padova, region of

Veneto it, Veneto (man) it, Veneta (woman) , population_note = , population_blank1_title = , population_blank1 = , demographics_type1 = , demographics1_footnotes = , demographics1_title1 = , demographics1_info1 = ...

, Italy. Initially built for the archbishops of Padua, the villa is now owned by the

Fondo Ambiente Italiano The Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI) is the National Trust of Italy. The organisation was established in 1975 as the Fondo Ambiente Italiano, based on the model of the National Trust of England, Wales, & Northern Ireland. It is a private non-profi ...

(FAI), and the grounds and frescoed rooms are open to visitors and guests.

History

The villa was erected between 1535–1542 by the curia of

Padua Padua ( ; it, Padova ; vec, Pàdova) is a city and ''comune'' in Veneto, northern Italy. Padua is on the river Bacchiglione, west of Venice. It is the capital of the province of Padua. It is also the economic and communications hub of the ...

, to provide a summer retreat for the archbishop. The bishop at the time was Francesco Pisani, of the aristocratic

Pisani family The House of Pisani is a Venetian patrician family, originating from Pisa, which played an important role in the historic, political and economic events of the Venetian Republic during the period between the 12th and the beginning of the 18th centu ...

of Venice. The commission was begun by the archbishopric's administrator from 1529 to 1537, Alvise Cornaro. The villa was designed by the architect Giovanni Maria Falconetto. The building initially contained a rectangular courtyard with two wings with an open

loggia In architecture, a loggia ( , usually , ) is a covered exterior gallery or corridor, usually on an upper level, but sometimes on the ground level of a building. The outer wall is open to the elements, usually supported by a series of columns ...

on the ground floor. The piano nobile had an open loggia looking down to the valley. The interiors and the portico were frescoed by

Lambert Sustris Lambert Sustris (c. 1515-1520 – c. 1584) was a Dutch painter active mainly in Venice. The works Sustris completed in Italy exhibit either a Mannerist style or qualities that may be deemed proto- baroque. He is also referred to as ''Alber ...

. In the following decades, the structure was modified by multiple architects, including Andrea da Valle (pupil of Falconetto, active here circa 1567–1577). A scenographic staircase entrance was added and the central courtyard was roofed. Finally,

Vincenzo Scamozzi Vincenzo Scamozzi (2 September 1548 – 7 August 1616) was an Italian architect and a writer on architecture, active mainly in Vicenza and Republic of Venice area in the second half of the 16th century. He was perhaps the most important figure t ...

continued to link the villa to the gardens. Future bishops commissioned additions to the gardens and orchards. In 1910, the bishop Luigi Pellizzo sold the property, which was by then in need of much restoration. The property for some time during the world war hosted a Discalced Carmelite nuns, but after the war, the villa became known as ''Villa San Domenico Savio'', home of a house of religious retreats for young Catholics. In 1962, the property was sold to Vittorio Olcese, who began further restorations. In 2005, the widow and son of Vittorio donated the property to the FAI. File:Villa Vescovi Luvigliano Torreglia 15.jpg, Frescoed portico File:Villa Vescovi Luvigliano Torreglia 48.JPG, Formal garden File:Villa Vescovi Luvigliano Torreglia 47.JPG, Gate File:Villa Vescovi Luvigliano Torreglia 4.jpg, Rear façade

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Vescovi Luvigliano Villas in Veneto Renaissance architecture in Veneto Buildings and structures in the Province of Padua Buildings and structures completed in 1542

History

See also

References