Villa Valmarana ai Nani, a masterpiece of the eighteenth century in Vicenza frescoed by the Tiepolos

Extraordinary, fascinating, shrouded in an aura of legend: Villa Valmarana ai Nani is one of the most precious jewels of Vicenza’s artistic heritage.

Located a few steps from the historic center of Vicenza, on the gentle slopes of Colle San Bastian, an offshoot of Monte Berico, Villa Valmarana ai Nani is not only a Venetian villa, but an authentic treasure trove of eighteenth-century art. Here Giambattista Tiepolo and his son Giandomenico left one of the most extraordinary fresco cycles of their time, transforming the rooms of the Palazzina and the Foresteria into a triumph of color, light and pictorial narration. Today, as in the eighteenth century, the villa continues to enchant visitors from all over the world, offering a unique experience where art, history, nature and technological innovation come together in a harmonious dialogue between past and present.

From the origins to the Valmarana family

The history of Villa Valmarana ai Nani has its roots in the eighteenth century and is intertwined with the events of some of the most illustrious Vicenza families. The complex initially belonged to Giovan Maria Bertolo, but it was in 1720 that the residence entered history when it was acquired by the Valmarana family, who still own it.

It was Giustino Valmarana, an enlightened patron and man of culture, who transformed the villa into the masterpiece we know today. He entrusted the architect Francesco Muttoni with the task of enriching the complex with structural and decorative elements of great monumental impact, giving the residence the majestic appearance that still characterizes it today.

But the real turning point came in 1757, when Giustino called none other than Giambattista Tiepolo, at the time at the height of his artistic career, to decorate the interiors. Together with his son Giandomenico, the Venetian master created the extraordinary frescoes that adorn the rooms of the Palazzina and the Foresteria, creating one of the most famous and beloved pictorial cycles of eighteenth-century European art.

The monumental complex: between architectural elegance and nature

Villa Valmarana ai Nani looks like an articulated and harmonious complex, consisting of the main building, the guesthouse and the stables, all immersed in a natural setting of rare beauty. The buildings are surrounded by fragrant rose gardens, an elegant Italian garden with geometric hedges and two hornbeams that frame a refined nymphaeum in the park behind.

But the real treasure is the Bosco that extends to Villa Capra, better known as “La Rotonda”, an absolute masterpiece by Andrea Palladio. This natural connection between two of the most important Venetian villas creates a landscape continuum of great charm, offering visitors the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the eighteenth-century Vicenza countryside.

A distinctive and fascinating element of the complex is represented by the 17 stone statues depicting dwarfs that adorn the boundary wall along the road. Probably made by Francesco Uliaco to a design by Giambattista Tiepolo, these figures gave the villa its name and are linked to the romantic legend of Princess Layana, which intertwines history and myth, giving the house a unique and unmistakable charm.

The frescoes of the Tiepolo family: a triumph of eighteenth-century art

What makes Villa Valmarana ai Nani an absolutely unmissable place are the frescoes that decorate its rooms, an authentic masterpiece of eighteenth-century European art.

In the Palazzina, Giambattista Tiepolo has created a grandiose cycle inspired by the classical epic poems: the Iliad, the Aeneid, the Gerusalemme Liberata and Orlando Furioso. With his unmistakable mastery, the great Venetian transformed the walls into theaters of emotions, populating them with heroes, divinities, battles and immortal loves. The light, the iridescent colors, the ability to create illusory spaces that break through the walls make these rooms an overwhelming visual experience.

In the Foresteria, his son Giandomenico frescoed scenes of eighteenth-century daily life with a more intimate and narrative style: peasants, carnivals, walks in villas, bucolic scenes that tell the society of the time with grace and irony. The contrast between the epic monumentality of the father and the descriptive delicacy of the son creates an artistic dialogue of extraordinary richness.

An immersive experience between tradition and innovation

Villa Valmarana ai Nani is not just a museum to admire, but a place to live. To make the visit even more engaging and memorable, the villa offers visitors innovative tools that enrich the cultural experience.

Paper guides and information panels are available in the woods and gardens, but the real leap in quality is represented by the Multimedia Kit, a state-of-the-art digital package. It includes the Smart Guide, an application in Italian and English with multimedia content that tells the story of the residence and its most famous guests, and access to the Immersive Room where characters and historical events come back to life through projections and scenographic settings.

The most innovative experience, however, is that offered by the Meta Quest 3 headsets, which allow you to live a narrative experience in Mixed Reality: the characters painted by Tiepolo literally come to life in the real room, interact with the space and involve the visitor in an immersive and timeless story, where Baroque art and contemporary technology dialogue in a surprising way.

Visitor services: comfort and hospitality

Villa Valmarana ai Nani is attentive to the comfort of its guests. The villa has a small free parking located in front of the entrance gate. From spring there is also a paid parking lot with entrance from “Via della Rotonda 34”: from here a pleasant walk immersed in the quiet of the woods leads to the Palazzina and the Foresteria, already transforming the approach path into a moment of discovery.

Inside the complex there is also a beautiful cafeteria, where you can have lunch or take a break immersed in the charm of this unique place, enjoying local products in an atmosphere of yesteryear.

Exclusive location for events and celebrations

The rooms frescoed by the Tiepolos and the outdoor spaces of Villa Valmarana ai Nani offer a unique and unforgettable setting to host events of all kinds. The villa is the ideal setting for weddings, gala dinners, business meetings, aperitifs or private parties.

Every occasion finds its perfect dimension here, between art, history and nature, with the possibility of customizing every detail to create an exclusive experience. Celebrating an important moment surrounded by Tiepolo’s frescoes, in the silence of the centuries-old park, overlooking the Vicenza countryside, is an emotion that remains forever etched in the memory.

Information for visits

Villa Valmarana ai Nani is open to the public with variable hours depending on the season. It is advisable to always check the updated timetables and access methods on the official website or by contacting the villa directly.

The visit can be enriched with the audio guide, the Smart Guide or the mixed reality experience. Guided tours can be booked for groups and schools.

For information on visits, reservations or events:

• Email: info@villavalmarana.com
• Phone: 0444 321803
• Website: www.villavalmarana.com