Villa Emo is a Venetian villa built near Fanzolo, in Vedelago in the province of Treviso, by the architect Andrea Palladio. The villa, probably built from 1558 onwards, was commissioned by the Emo family of Venice, who were its owners until 2004.
The villa now belongs to the Banca di Credito Cooperativo Trevigiano, which established the Fondazione Villa Emo Onlus to protect, maintain and promote cultural events at the villa.
It is one of the finest Palladian villas, built when Palladio had already been designing similar buildings for twenty years. For its design, Palladio used the same mathematical proportions for its elevation and room sizes as for the rest of his work. Since 1996, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with other Palladian villas situated in the Veneto region and in Vicenza, the "city of Palladio".
The villa stands in the village of Fanzolo and the countryside around it. Structured according to the Roman land division along the Postumia road, it is surrounded by two “barchesse” (long colonnaded wings). These originally housed facilities for agricultural activities, following a production facility project similar to the one of Villa Badoer and to most Palladian villa designs.
Externally it is impressive and simple, without decoration, whereas its interior is richly decorated with frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti, who created similar works at other Palladian villas.
Villa Emo is one of the greatest works by Palladio, where the practical needs of agricultural
life are fully depicted in unusual shapes and a new expression inspired by ancient architecture and classic temples, emphasising the sacredness of agriculture and nature.
OPENING TIMES:
In summer: May - October
Monday to Saturday: 10.30am - 12.30pm, 2pm - 6pm
Sunday and public holidays: 10.30am - 6.30pm
In winter: November - April
Monday to Saturday: 9.30am - 12.30pm, 2.00pm - 5.00pm
Sunday and public holidays: 10.30am - 6.30pm
Closed: 25 December, 31 December and 1 January
Groups of over 15 people are also admitted at other times by advance booking via fax: +39 0423 487043 or e-mail info@villaemo.tv.it
At the well-supplied bookshop, visitors can buy books, publications about Palladio and his other villas, as well as souvenirs.
Events, concerts, conferences, shows and exhibitions are regularly organised at Villa Emo.
You can see all the events updated on its official Facebook page and website!
MAP
