This enchanting 17th century villa in the Venetian hills is your refuge from summer crowds

Venice might be one of the most beautiful and visited cities in Italy, but it’s not the easiest place to live. For most of the year it is exceptionally busy with tourists, not to mention the frequent acqua alta that leads to flooding all over the city. We’ll always say si, certo to a weekend in Venice, but living there full time might be a little more problematic.

Fortunately, the ancient Venetian nobility seem to have felt the same way – which is why the entire Veneto (the agriculture region stretching from the edge of the Venetian lagoon north to the Alps) is dotted with sumptuously preserved country houses, many of them masterpieces by architects such as Andrea Palladio.

Even in the 17th century, there was such a thing as too much time in the big city. The solution, clearly, is a multi-bedroom country retreat surrounded by its own gardens where you can hole up with your family and friends for a little solitude.

A reception room on the *piano nobile* with the characteristic heigh ceilings of the 17th century Veneto.

One such example is on the market with Sotheby’s. Picturesquely situated in the hills north of Venice, this elegant and historically significant 17th century villa boasts a large private park, original furnishings, and luxurious amenities.

A view over the house’s surrounded parkland.

Built by one of the most famous architects of Venice’s Baroque era, Baldassare Longhena, the villa is split across three levels with six bedrooms and four bathrooms on the upper floor.

The villa is surrounded by 47 hectares of private parkland, including centuries-old cypresses, classical Italianate garden features, and a pool.

A built-in bathtub from the master suite.

The main piano nobile includes several high-ceilinged reception rooms, including one with a loggia specially constructed to house an orchestra. Throughout, you’ll find historic wall paintings, original furniture, and thoughtful details such as built-in bathtubs.

With this house, you’ll be in the heart of Prosecco country, the deliciously dry sparkling white wine which the Veneto specializes in producing. The region also has some of the best food from all over northern Italy – not to mention rolling green landscapes and distant views of the snow-capped Alps. And if you start to miss the crowds and hubbub of one of the world’s most beautiful and desirable cities, Venice is just under an hour away by car.

Article credits

Images sourced from Sotheby’s International Realty.

Researched and written by QVDN staff.