VILLAS OF THE BRENTA CANAL
The spread of the aristocratic villas along the course of the Brenta from Malcontenta to Stra was a phenomenon that was a sign of the power of Venice for a couple of centuries between 1500 and 1700.It showed the propensity of its ruling class for the most lavish theatricality even in its moment of decline. So it fell with a blaze of magnificence. The area was not only chosen for its rural amenities although they were in any case a fund of resources.
The Brenta river was used as a commercial waterway by the Venetian Republic for trade. Used both by day and even by night, with the use of torches and lanterns, great boats, barges and row boats, and any kind of wooden craft was laden to the brim with merchandise. From the mainland there was flour, legumes, gravel, hay, wines, calves and goats, and from Venice spices, cloths, oils, soap, glass, books and fish. Another cargo as unusual as it was precious was the water of the Brenta. The water was transported in watertight barges for the Venetians whose fields were of saltwater. Before the Brenta of the villas this was the Brenta of the wayside inns where it was possible to eat and lodge for the night. There were posting stations and 'locks' as the boats were raised or with the water-level on the way upstream or down.
By the end of 1400, to have a villa on the banks of the river and to enjoy the summer season with friends and relations or Vip strangers was a great status symbol. Renowned architects and famous painters were hired, like Andrea Palladio, Count Fringimelica, Scamozzi, Longhena, Tiepolo, and Zais, to design and decorate the homes. Many of the country villa's visual impact, including its lodges and gardens, were designed to merge the natural beauty harmoniously with the architectural features.
The Riviera del Brenta offers several thematic itineraries to discover the natural beauty and cultural richness of the area, besides the world famous villas along the Brenta River. An interesting possibility is that of exploring the Riviera starting from its ten small towns, with their different atmospheres. Campagna Lupia, with the archaeological museum hosted in the church of St Maria di Lugo and the oasis of Valle Averto, the monumental square. An evocative image of the Squero Monumentale - Monumental Boatyard - in Dolo, the nineteenth century 'Bridge of vases' at Campolongo Maggiore, Villa Recanati Zucconi at Fiesso d'Artico, the kiln at Sandon di Fossò, the beautiful Villa dei Leoni at Mira are just some examples of the hidden jewels one can meet visiting the Riviera's towns.