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Villa Saraceno

Commissioned by Biagio Saraceno the Villa Saraceno, Agugliaro is one of the earliest and simplest of Andrea Palladio's designs. As built it is much more modest than Palladio’s design published in I Quattro Libri dell'architettura (1570). Only the villa’s house was constructed and the symmetrical ‘barchesse’ or barns flanking either side of the house as shown in plate 56 from in I Quattro Libri dell'architettura were never fully executed. In the mid-17th century the colonnaded ‘barchessa’ on the east side of the house was added which links to the other existing farm buildings on the site.

Typically as with other Palladian villas the house as built combined a living space for the owners with a granary above the piano nobile to keep the grain cool and dry.

Derelict by the mid-twentieth century, the Villa Saraceno was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Also See more images by David Valinsky and additional images of the Villa Saraceno.

Feature by Jonathan Makepeace.

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Villa Saraceno, Agugliaro: plan and elevation

RIBA53448
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
SOURCE: Andrea Palladio. The Architecture of Andrea Palladio in four books (London, 1717), ed. Giacomo Leoni, Book II, pl. XLI NOTES: This English edition of Palladio's I Quattro libri dell'architettura contains plates copied from the first Italian edition, published in 1570 and includes additional 'notes and observations' by Inigo Jones.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the front (south) elevation

RIBA113922
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the front (south) elevation

RIBA113923
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the barchessa to the right of the main entrance

RIBA113924
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the barchessa to the right of the main entrance

RIBA113925
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza; the great barn or tezza

RIBA113927
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994. The great barn seen here is some 45 metres long (150 feet) and pre-dates the house. It was built circa 1500 and still retains its original roof trusses, spanning some 45 feet.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: looking towards the villa from the great barn or tezza

RIBA113928
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994. The great barn seen here is some 45 metres long (150 feet) and pre-dates the house. It was built circa 1500 and still retains its original roof trusses, spanning some 45 feet.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza

RIBA113929
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the great barn or tezza

RIBA113934
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994. The great barn seen here is some 45 metres long (150 feet) and pre-dates the house. It was built circa 1500 and still retains its original roof trusses, spanning some 45 feet.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the barchessa

RIBA113935
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: looking towards the barchessa and dovecote at the far end

RIBA113936
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the loggia of the main house with its ceiling frescoes

RIBA113937
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994. The fresco across the vault seen here is attributed to Anselmo Canera and depicts abundance and prosperity.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the barchessa with cat

RIBA113939
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the main entrance hall with frescoes by Anselmo Canera

RIBA113941
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994. The cycle of frescoes in the main entrance hall depict the tragedy Orazia (1546) by Pietro Aretino (1494-1556).

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the main entrance hall with frescoes by Anselmo Canera

RIBA113943
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994. The cycle of frescoes in the main entrance hall depict the tragedy Orazia (1546) by Pietro Aretino (1494-1556).

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: looking out through the loggia from the main entrance hall with the frescoes just seen

RIBA113944
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: the loggia looking towards the entrance with the figure painted above the door thought to be the owner Biagio Saraceno, dressed as an ancient condottiero, welcoming the visitor to his house

RIBA113945
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.

Villa Saraceno, Finale di Agugliaro, Vicenza: a door leading off the main entrance hall

RIBA113947
Palladio, Andrea (1508-1580)
NOTES: The Villa Saraceno is one of the earliest and simplest of Palladio's villas (1549-1555). As published in 'I Quattro Libri', only the villa house was built according to Palladio's design, and the symmetrical 'barchesse' shown in his scheme were never fully executed. The colonnaded 'barchessa' on the right (east) of the villa house was added in the mid-17th century and links to the other existing farm buildings on the site. After becoming derelict in the mid-twentieth century, it was bought by the Landmark Trust and restored in 1990-1994.
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