Venetian villas of the 15th-18th centuries, located on the banks of the Brenta River, impress with the luxury of their architecture, the richness of their frescoes, and are a vivid testament to the aristocratic power of the era of Venetian patricians. In those times, the shores could only be reached by water, as the existing roads were built later.
To protect the Venetian lagoon from the forces of water, a network of canals was built, along the banks of which the construction of these magnificent villas began.
Of particular interest are: the Pisani villas in Strà (Villa Pisani, Strà); the Foscari villa “Malcontenta” (“Dissatisfied”), in the province of Venice (Villa Foscari, detta La Malcontenta), according to an old legend, the unfaithful wife of a Venetian official was imprisoned there; Widmann Foscari, in the province of Venice (Villa Widmann Foscari), the Contarini villa (villa Contarini) and many others.
Representatives of the Venetian nobility were transported along the river in boats called “burkiello” (barge). Burkiello were pulled ashore by people, oxen, or horses. Cargo was transported on boats called “burci.”
Even today, a cruise along the Brenta coast is of interest to tourists; where more than 70 Venetian villas have been preserved, where one can touch the walls that once echoed with grand balls and luxurious celebrations.
