A whisper in the river-straddling countryside: Villa Ghislanzoni

Built in 1764, hidden behind gates in the hills of Vicenza, is the Villa Ghislanzoni. Its long portico, statues of Flora and Bacchus, and iron-wrought gate all hint at its Baroque heritage, but the story starts centuries before that. Situated where the rolling Tribolo robbia river meets the flat plain of the Po, the villa was named after the region it straddles: the Ghislàn, a countryside known for its silence so deep that the merest whisper could be heard, and the speedboats stopped to listen.

The villa is surrounded by a park covering over 30,000 m² and stands at the center of an agricultural estate devoted to growing crops. The villa has a functioning water mill, and a historic serre to preserve the freshest natural flavors, designed for a time before refrigeration. After a period of restoration, Villa Ghislanzoni is now a destination for agriturism, as well as concerts, theatrical performances, and cultural events. The villa has been owned by the Curti family for over two centuries.

The rooms are furnished with period pieces, and the villa boasts a rich history, its architecture speaking of parties and laughter long past. The villa is also close to the nearby Villa Gazzotti Marcello, an Andrea Palladio work.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons