Villa Almerico-Capra, known as “La Rotonda” Castagna Palace Hotel

There are officially 24 villas recognised as the work of Palladio:
16 in Vicenza, 3 in Treviso, 2 in Padua and 1 respectively in Rovigo, Verona and Venice.

Amongst all the villas, Villa Almerico-Capra is undoubtedly that which most reflects the expressive strength of Palladio’s art.

Commissioned to Palladio by Cardinal Paolo Almerico in 1570, it was later completed by Vincenzo Scamozzi who constructed its round dome roof, from which the villa derived its appellation.

Using an innovative and visionary approach, Palladio admirably exploited the symmetries and conformation of the slight and roundish rising land, to express and at the same time concentrate all of his ideas: perfect symmetry, without any focal points, as a foundation of monumentality.

Certainly not a building particularly suitable to live in, the “Rotonda” was primarily conceived as a prestigious location for public representation, and a peaceful refuge for mediation and study.

At the same time, the Villa is a summary and testament of the artist’s work, mixing the requests of the Cardinal with his own intuition, brilliance and bold perception of classical art.