Villa Foscari (La Malcontenta)
Via dei Turisti, 9, Mira, Veneto, 30034
The Villa Foscari, also known as La Malcontenta, is the only mansion by acclaimed Venetian Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio along the Brenta Canal. Built in the 1550s for the brothers Nicolò and Alvise Foscari, this temple-like villa is an architectural jewel. Visitors are drawn to its perfectly symmetrical design, floor-to-ceiling frescoes, and views of the Venetian Lagoon.
The basics
The villa is often visited on boat tours of the Brenta Riviera or guided architectural tours. Visitors can tour the gardens and the main level of the villa. To learn more about Palladian architecture, opt for a guided tour of the Villa Foscari or choose an architectural-themed tour that also includes visits to other Palladian masterpieces.
Things to know before you go
Villa Foscari is a must-see for architecture enthusiasts and Venetian history buffs.
An entrance fee is required to tour the inside of the villa.
A bookshop is located on the ground floor.
No photography of the interior is allowed.
The ground floor of the villa is not accessible to wheelchairs.
How to get there
Villa Foscari is located on the mainland of Italy, east of Venice along the Brenta Canal. You can reach the villa by car, bike, or boat from Venice. There is no parking at the Villa Foscari; visitors must park in the village of Malcontenta and walk to the villa via the pedestrian-only Via dei Turisti street.
When to get there
Villa Foscari keeps a seasonal schedule, so check ahead before visiting. It may be possible to visit the villa outside of opening hours with an advance reservation.
The legend behind La Malcontenta
According to local legend, Villa Foscari is known as La Malcontenta (or the discontent) due to the fate of a lady of the Foscari family, Elisabetta, who was confined here in solitude for 30 years as punishment for her infidelity. Many people have claimed to see a ghost of a beautiful red-haired woman wandering through the gardens under the moonlight.
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