Experiencing Palladio’s architecture in Vicenza and the Veneto

My interest in Palladian architecture dates back to my university years and then I have been fortunate enough to be able to work with it, leading specialized tours focused on Palladio’s work and its cultural context for more than twenty years.
So, my approach is the result of study, but also of continuous presence. It means coming back again and again to the buildings, each time with the same curiosity and openness.

I have learned to see architecture as it unfolds: how people inhabit and move through it, how spaces connect, how interior and exterior interact, and how proportions relate to the human scale.
All these aspects were so well developed by Palladio in the buildings he designed, both inside and out, and can be perceived by anyone who pays attention. Thanks to their exceptional architectural quality, I feel joy every time I enter these spaces, and I do my best to help my clients appreciate them in the same way.
Seeing that happen is one of the most rewarding parts of my work.

A unique perspective, literally: Villa Pisani in Montagnana
One of the most defining moments of my journey took place at Villa Pisani in Montagnana, a villa partially built over a canal. It is probably one of the least visited of Palladio’s villas, quite remote and still lived in as a private residence. A conversation with the owner of the villa sparked my curiosity and, one winter, I explored areas beneath the building with him (wading in rubber boots!) to observe the architecture from a completely new perspective. No guide or scholar has ever done this so far, and it was a revelation even for the owner. It gave me new insights into the villa’s design and its links with other Palladian buildings. It deepened my understanding of how architecture interacts with its environment and with water.

It was an adventure, but also a memorable moment that represents my personal connection with these amazing buildings and the people who live or work in them.

There have been other moments, in other villas: a brief shaft of low light revealing a detail invisible at any other hour; a revealing viewpoint that only becomes clear after dozens of visits.

These are the results of long familiarity and sustained attention, something I carry with me, and share with visitors every time I lead a tour of Palladio’s villas or urban buildings.