The Riviera del Brenta reflects an important portion of Venice’s history. Throughout the fifteenth to eighteenth centuries, this extension to the Grand Canal was brought to life as the construction of many elaborate and architecturally complex villas began.

The area is now known for these various villas which are open to the public. Each offers something unique and special to take in, from beautiful outdoor gardens to historic works of art, making the Riviera del Brenta an excellent choice for all kinds of travelers.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

During the Riviera del Brenta’s glory days, annual glamorous events were the heart of social life. Today, travelers can experience similar festivals and events that evoke the elegance, history, and culture of the Riviera.

The Carnevale degli Storti is the event that opens the travel season along the Brenta Canal. Held annually since the late 1970s, the event is like the famed Venetian Carnival in that it features opulent floats, artistic masks, and an abundance of delicious food and entertaining dances.

During September, the river transforms into a piece of art as boats, gondolas, and people are decorated in countless colors and festive costumes. The event celebrates when Henry III was invited to the riverside villas for the first time in 1574. Today, the event (known as the Riviera Fiorita) transforms the canal into a “Flowering River”. Whether admiring it from the shore or from atop a boat in the canal, the event is certainly a stunning sight to see.

The annual Venice Marathon is one of the area’s biggest events, bringing in 5,000 participants from all over the world. During the event in October, travelers can join the line of spectators along the Riviera del Brenta and cheer the runners on.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

For those who truly want to experience the beauty of nature, the Villa Pisani Nazionale is the villa to see. Once owned by the Pisani family, this eighteenth-century villa is known for its incredible, opulent gardens. It features a spectacular hedge maze, an array of fruit trees, a reflection pond, and countless species of flowers and plants.

Inside, the villa is equally as stunning. Complete with its original architectural features, the villa boasts over 100 rooms and a vast array of artistic masterpieces, including mammoth frescoes. The villa was once home to Napoleon and King Vittorio Emanuele II. Villa Pisani is also home to a national museum, which showcases art exhibitions of ancient, modern, and contemporary art.

Another of the Riviera del Brenta’s villas that is known for its outdoor gardens is the Villa Widmann. Also an eighteenth-century structure, this villa is surrounded by a massive park that includes cypress, fruit, and chestnut trees as well as a lake and vast gardens that boast natural flora interspersed with unique statues of mythical creatures.

This villa has been owned by several wealthy families, including the Sceriman family, the Widmann family, the Donà family, and the Foscari family. Over time, the villa acquired many works of art, including frescoes by artists such as Giovanni Battista Zelotti, Giuseppe Angeli, and Gerolamo Mengozzi Colonna. The villa is home to mansion-like living quarters, an auditorium for meetings and events, ballrooms for festivities, and a church that contains the remains of some members of the Widmann family.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

The Villa Foscari is one of the Riviera del Brenta’s most interesting and romantic villas. It was designed by architect Andrea Palladio for the Foscari family, a powerful and political family of Venice whose lines can be traced back to the fifteenth century. The Villa Foscari was built as a residence for the family, but also served as a location to house events for important officials. While the exterior of the structure is stately and castle-like, it is the interior that is perhaps most interesting.

The villa has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to how intact the original features of the villa are, including the fact that despite restorations it remains without electricity as it was in its earliest days. Inside are two grand staircases, which were used for special entrances by royals and other influential guests. In addition, there are rich and detailed frescoes throughout by artists such as Battista Franco and Giambattista Zelotti.

One of the Riviera del Brenta’s most unique villas is Villa Foscarini Rossi. Not only is it stunning in its architectural features, but it also is home to an extensive art collection and museum dedicated to the history of shoemaking. The villa’s museum features nearly 2,000 different luxury shoes from the eighteenth century and beyond and is a testament to the Venetian art of cobbling, which dates back to the thirteenth century and is renowned throughout the world.

SHOPPING

For a more laid-back experience, visit the antique and flea markets that are held every fourth Saturday in the old part of Dolo, a town part of the metropolitan city of Venice. Travelers will find a variety of handmade and beautiful goods, delicious local food products, and more. The antique market is a famous historic activity that visitors to Venice should not miss.

FAMILIES & KIDS

Families may enjoy a visit to the Natural Sanctuary of Valle Averto, which is managed by the WWF and is located near the villas. The lagoon wetland is characterized by a unique ecosystem with flora, such as glasswort and water lilies, in addition to fauna, such as fish, herons, sea eagles, and small mammals in the wooded areas, such as weasels and badgers. The sanctuary is an excellent place to experience the area’s natural beauty.

UNIQUE EXPERIENCES

Of all the Rivieria del Brenta’s villas, Villa Contarini may be the most spectacular. The villa sits on an area that covers nearly 100 acres and includes vast canals, a lake, and the main structure, which is fortress-like in its size and stature. First built in the second century as a castle, the structure was then taken over by the Carresi family and transformed into a countryside estate. In the sixteenth century, the family hired Andrea Palladio to renovate the structure. He added wings onto the main part of the building and added unique design elements that imparted the Baroque look and feel it boasts today. There are also nineteenth-century design elements, as the villa was taken over by the Camerini family and renovated again. After changing hands to physicist Giordano Emilio Ghirardi, the villa eventually became owned by the region of Veneto itself, making it today a place for public events such as concerts, cultural festivals, and more.