Think of the history of Venice and grand canal-side palazzi come to mind. But from the 16th century to the fall of the Serenissima (the French-occupied Venetian Republic) in 1797, noble families would decamp from these palatial dwellings in the summertime, journeying by river on luxurious canopied floating vessels called burchielli. This seasonal exodus to the countryside became a pause from city life and oppressive heat, a time for louche and lavish recreation in family villas.
Today, some of the more than 4,000 Palladian villas, purpose-built for pure pleasure across the Veneto region, remain heritage monuments on the tourist trail, while others have returned to their original agricultural roots. A handful are maintained as prestigious private residences, their occupants now stewards of history.
Their privileged position near waterways means these residences can often be reached by private boat—a pleasant way to float past these three sumptuous Venetian villas for sale that transport you to la dolce vita.
The waterlilies and ancient frescoes of Quarto d’Altino
Departing the Brenta Riviera along the River Brenta, you arrive in Quarto d’Altino, which lies between Venice and Treviso in an area of historical significance: the archaeological site of Altino, the area of Trepalade and the Venice lagoon. Having sprung up on the banks of the River Sile in ancient Roman times, during the Renaissance Quarto d’Altino became a reference point for the aristocracy of Venice, at that time in search of a sort of buen retiro.
The villas of Quarto d’Altino, with their all’italiana gardens and imposing façades, were much more than summer residences, they were centers of cultural and agricultural innovation. Which was why the noble classes, attracted by the area’s serenity and fertility, chose to construct such magnificent abodes here. Not only was the River Sile, on its peaceful and silent southward journey, an idyllic setting, it was also a strategic means of communication with the city of Venice itself.
Water is a vital element at this splendid Quarto d’Altino villa with its riverside location, a lake dotted with water-lilies, plus a large covered swimming pool. Not to mention the sumptuous bath placed that takes center stage in one of six bathrooms. Within its walls the villa has clung to a raft of original features: fireplaces, exposed beams, traces of pre-17th-century frescoes, along with other timeless details like flooring in graniglia (marble-chip tile) or wooden parquet.
In Sacile, a sumptuous past speaks to the present
Moving towards Friuli-Venezia Giulia, along the banks of the River Livenza, we arrive in Sacile, known as the “Venice of Friuli” thanks to its architectural style and preponderance of canals; it’s also where the region’s most beautiful villas are concentrated. These are refined aristocratic residences that were also important centers of political and cultural influence. It was here that intellectuals, artists and politicians would meet and explains why the private villas in this area served as a bridge between the Serenissima and Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
It is in the Sacile municipality where such splendid residences are found, witness to the prestige and allure that this area has always exercised upon its visitors. Ascending the steps of the monumental stone entrance stairway of what has been historically known as the Villa Padernelli and crossing its threshold, an evocative encounter between past and present unfolds. Here, early 20th-century furnishings and lead-glass windows converse with more modern elements. The external parts of the property and the panoramic covered terrace send us back to the past to savor its splendor and to experience once more the magical atmosphere of the elegant summer residences of times gone by.
Conegliano, effervescent with history
Renowned as the center for the production of prosecco wine, the small Veneto town of Conegliano is rich in historical and architectural assets. While the villas in this area are relatively young compared to those in Quarto d’Altino and Sacile, they are, however, an important testimony to the role of viticulture and its integration into the lives of Venetian noblemen and women. They had been attracted by both the beauty of the hills and the quality of the wines and so decided to build residences that would reflect their love for la dolce vita. The production of prosecco became part and parcel of the prestige surrounding the Venetian families who lived in these houses, and today the villas represent a tradition that continues to prosper.
It’s not difficult to gain a perception of this backstory when you turn into the sumptuous drive on the approach to this magnificent residence surrounded by more than 4,000 square meters (just under one acre) of parkland. Here, beyond the charm of antique fireplaces, of seven bedrooms, two kitchens and nine bathrooms where original features such as parquet floors and boiserie paneling reign, you can savor a further evocation of the past. An old, restored granary tells the tales of a region that has been an oasis of well-being and recreational pleasure yet, also a place dedicated to work and production.
Michelangelo Ravagnan of Venice brokerage Ravagnan’s holds the listings.
Ravagnan’s is a member of Forbes Global Properties, an invitation-only network of top-tier brokerages worldwide and the exclusive real estate partner of Forbes.
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