Historic Villa near Venice

This gorgeous, historic 8-bedroom villa on the hill above the city of Vicenza, recognized as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage, is within easy reach of Venice, Verona, Padova and other magical places in the Veneto region.
Your immediate neighbour will be the famous Villa Valmarana whose internal walls are adorned with the magnificent Tiepolo frescoes, and all around are some of the most important Palladian Villas in the world.
Vicenza itself is a treasure trove of art and architecture, first of all the buildings of Andrea Palladio the renowned Renaissance architect.

You will be able to get to Venice very easily even for just a quick day trip.
Situated within walking distance of the Villa La Rotonda designed by Palladio, Villa San Bastiano overlooks the ’Valley of Silence’ that inspired the famous Italian author Antonio Fogazzaro who made ’San Bastiano’ his home.

Painters such as Giorgione, and Gianbattista and Giandomenico Tiepolo whose masterpiece frescoes adorn the Villa ”Valmarana ai Nani” next door, all the way to Salvador Dalí who was a guest of the family, also drew inspiration from the beauty of the area.

The original Villa was bombed during World War II and was re-built in 1951 by the descendants of the Fogazzaro family who still own the property. It is now a most charming home guarding many family heirlooms from the old villa and has been a favourite destination for many distinguished guests throughout its life.

On the outside there is a beautiful terrace facing the ‘Valletta del Silenzio’, where one can enjoy the golden aura of the Venetian sunsets amidst ancient cypresses, cedars, pines and the most beautifully scented Osmanthus bushes, and roses, geraniums, lilies which fill the well tended garden with colour: you will feel rested in this peaceful oasis of relaxation.

Many of our previous family guests have been enchanted by the house, its gardens and the sense of peace found here. They famously include the painter Salvador Dalí, actors Jack Palance and Albert Finney, Cecil Beaton, ballerinas Dame Margot Fonteyn and Carla Fracci, the Maharaja of Kapurtala, Victor Gauntlett (of Aston Martin Cars fame) and Prince Michael of Kent, who stayed here during the 1987 re-edition of the ’Mille Miglia’ car race among many others. They all enjoyed sitting on the terrace in front of the house sipping cocktails and basking in the golden light of a Venetian sunset.

The swimming pool next to the house overlooks the Villa Valmarana and one is constantly reminded, even during the most informal leisure activities, of the history, art and culture of the villa and the surrounding area. There is a changing room with fridge, a shower and lounge chairs for soaking the summer sunshine.
The gate to the property is remotely activated and security cameras abound within the
garden and the perimeter of the villa.

The property is currently being operated as a luxurious self-catering holiday villa returning very high yields and year-round occupancy: it is therefore kept in pristine condition ready for the new owners.
It is a perfect place to relax; air conditioning is in most rooms and communal areas, the gorgeous garden and the views are mesmerizing, yet it is only a few minutes from the centre of the city and transport.
It has 8 bedrooms and can comfortably sleep 15. Five have en-suite bathrooms.
There are 7 bathrooms in total and a ground floor cloakroom.

Staff accommodation is on the lower ground floor where the lovely kitchen is located and linked with a “dumb waiter” elevator to the dining room. There is a possibility of transferring the kitchen beside the dining room (plans are available).

There is the option of separately purchasing all or part of the furniture and furnishings present.

Extra land in front of the property is also part of the sale and included in the price.

Ample parking on the premises.