Andrea Palladio (completed after Palladio's death by Vincenzo Scamozzi)
begun 1550
A distant view from the carriage pathThis villa, located on a slight elevation a few miles outside Vicenza, was built for Canon Paolo Almerico. The square domed building is aligned with the cardinal points of the compass. Its name derives from the plan--a circle within a square. The influence of the Roman Pantheon is evident--including the unitary plan and a traditional temple porch in front of a domed interior. | ||
The symmetrical buildingEach of the four sides of the square has a wide flight of stairs leading to a portico with six Ionic columns. Loggias provide beautiful views of the countryside from all four facades. |
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Views of the porch and a view under the porch | ||
The "Temple" portico and one entranceEach of the four entrances lead, through a short corridor, to the main room of the piano nobile, a circular dome-covered central salon. The statues on the pediment represent classical deities. | ||
This is one of more than 20 villas designed by Palladio on the Venetian mainland. Villas were not only built as a way of avoiding the heat and congestion of Italian cities but as a means of affirming humanist Renaissance values. | ||
Like the ancient Romans, wealthy Italians were imbued with the Arcadian spirit and often became gentlemen farmers on these villas. |
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