ARCHITECTURE TRAILS – VENETO VILLAS AND WALLED TOWNS

Numerous fine examples of architecture from the 10th to the 20th century can be found in the area at the foot of Grappa Massif. The hotel makes a great base for visiting the nearby gems.

For instance, Asolo is a “town with a hundred horizons” and a spellbinding centre. As well as a fortress and an age-old cathedral, it has a castle that has played host to a number of illustrious figures, including Queen Catherine Cornaro, Eleonora Duse and Freya Stark. As you travel through the Asolo hills, you come to the lands of the Ezzelini family and a series of Veneto villas.

Near Maser stands one of Antonio Palladio’s magnificent creations: Villa Barbaro. It was conceived by the architect as the hub of an agricultural estate and built between 1550 and 1560 for the Barbaro brothers. The villa has one main house and two wings. It is often used as a venue for events and exhibitions.

In San Vito near Altivole, you will find the Brion Tomb, which perfectly encapsulates the qualities of the architect who designed it: Carlo Scarpa. It was commissioned by a married couple named Brion and features reinforced concrete, water and a lawn.

On the plain there are more Veneto Villas, such as Villa Emo in Fanzolo near Vedelago (which is also by Palladio), and the “Rotonda” in Badoere: a square with distinctive porticos.

Possagno is the home town of Antonio Canova. As well as the Temple of Canova, you can visit the artist’s birthplace and a gallery containing the original models for his sculptures.

The towns of Castelfranco Veneto and Bassano del Grappa are two more places of interest. The former is about 25 km from the hotel. It is a walled town where Giorgione was born. As well as visiting his home, you can see a number of his works in the cathedral. Meanwhile, the main attractions in Bassano del Grappa are the old town centre and the bridge known as the Ponte degli Alpini.