VILLA POJANA (1555 Arch. Palladio)
POJANA via Castello - tel. e fax 0444 898554
e-mail:cpojana@tin.it
Sat & Sun: 10-12.30 / 14-16 (from November to March); 10-12.30 / 14-19 (from April to October)
Closed on holidays
Admission: € 4; reduced € 2,50

Villa Pojana rises few steps away from the old castle which was owned by the noble Paltineri family.
The villa was built around 1550 and its design was included in "The Four Books of Architecture".
Till this day the structure is still surrounded by a rural environement. The rear facade overlooks the infinite e0tent of Vicenza countryside.
It is universally considered as one of the most successful inventions of the architect thanks to the harmonious relationship among the architectural elements and to the symmetric distribution of its rooms.
The middle section of the main view is slightly jutting and is overlooked by the Serlian window opening to the loggia and crowned by three statues. In the rear facade addressed eastwards there are more windows, the five eyes of the arched lintel of the Serlian window are open and enlighten the hall (those of the opposite side are blind). The architect seemed to make not only the light, but also the whole surrounding countryside enter the house.
Some rooms still show the si0teenth century fresco decoration (the room of Caesar, for instance, was frescoed by Bernardino India). This is Palladio's description: "its rooms have been decorated with frescoes and very nice stuccoes by the Veronese painters. Master Bernardino India and Master Anselmo Canera, and by the Veronese sculptor, Master Bartolomeo Rodolfi".