Palladio
Villa Malcontenta
The Villa Foscari, more commonly known as the Villa Malcontenta, is featured on our Palladio Villa Tour that operates every Saturday.
The Villa Foscari at Malcontenta by Andrea Palladio was built
for one of the more wealthier clients of Andrea Palladio. Unlike
other patrons 
who cut costs where ever possible, the Foscari's
asked Andrea Palladio to turn-up the architectural volume on this
building so that it would truly reflect the importance of the
family and its role in the history of Venice.
The Villa Foscari at Malcontenta was built during the 1550's,
and in a way represents the transition of Andrea Palladio
from being an architect who merely copied to one who assimilated
all his experiences to forge his own unique style.
The rear, southern-facing facade, is almost slavish copy of the
work of Guilio Romano at the Palazzo Te in Mantova. But, the main
facade is true Palladian, and like some works of MichaelAngelo
it holds the viewer in awe of its beauty and magnitude.
Nowadays, the Villa Foscari, or Villa Malcontenta is as famous
for its legends as it is for its design by Palladio. Legend has
it that one of the brothers banished his wife to live in the Villa
after she led a rather poor life in Venice.
But, this is just a legend. In fact, the name Malcontenta comes
from the hamlet in which the Villa Malcontenta is located. The
hamlet has always been known as Malcontenta, because in the old
days thieves and robbers "Malcontenti" in Italian, used
to seek haven in the nearby marshes.
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