Countless palazzos and villas dot the hills surrounding the northern Italian city of Vicenza but you’d be hard-pressed to find one as unique as Villa Zileri. Not only does it feature a salon decorated with paintings created by Giambattista Tiepolo but there’s also a chapel covered in beautiful frescoes and a grotto embellished with thousands of shells.
Add to that the wonderful garden surrounding the Villa and you’ll begin to see the appeal. We were totally surprised by the place, as it wasn’t even mentioned in our guide book and we basically stumbled across it while exploring the pretty surroundings of Vicenza. Here’s why Villa Zileri is absolutely worth your time.
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What is there to see at Villa Zileri
The Salone d’Onore with frescoes by Tiepolo
The centerpiece of the Villa is formed by the Salone d’Onore, a high-ceilinged sitting room painted a striking white and decorated with intricate stuccowork. The star attraction is a series of allegorical frescoes by famous Rococo artist Giambattista Tiepolo along the walls and on the ceiling.
Tiepolo was commissioned to create the frescoes for the Loschi Family, the former owners of the house, in the 1730s. There are personifications of several virtues and vices and the painting in the centre of the ceiling depicts the Triumph of Glory. While you’re there, check out the nice view from the balcony.
The Chapel of San Francesco
Can’t get enough of beautifully painted rooms? Just move next door to the Capella di San Francesco. Originally constructed in the 17th century, the chapel was rebuilt in 1729 and is covered in beautiful paintings of saints and angels.
Both the look of the figures as well as the geometrical partition of the decorations has a distinct Byzantine Christian style. The carved pillars separating the apse from the main room are made from locally sourced Pietra di Vicenza stone.
The Cave of the Shells
Certainly the most unusual room in the Villa, the walls and ceiling of the Grotta delle Conchiglie are completely covered in shells as well as fragments of crystal and tortoise shells. Partly carved into the hill under the villa, the cave was constructed in 1665 as an unusual place to entertain guests.
There’s a statue of the Roman god Bacchus placed in an alcove opposite the entrance, while the figure below him is thought to represent Ariadne, the Cretan princess of lore who is said to have been abandoned by Theseus on the island of Naxos and subsequently rescued by Dionysus aka. Bacchus.
The gardens
The beautiful park surrounding the Villa was inspired by English Garden design and in its current appearance dates to the 19th century. It replaced an older garden with a more formal design, which fell out of fashion around that time.
The gardens are a great place for a stroll and there are several nice vistas of the villa along the tree-lined paths. Behind the villa there’s a small enclosure holding deer – check it out on your way to or from the Chapel of San Francesco.
Practicalities
How to get to Villa Zileri
Viale Zileri can be found near the town of Monteviale about 5km/3mi. west of Vicenza. If you’re traveling by public transport, you can reach Monteviale by taking Bus 16 from Vicenza’s Viale Roma, which operates regularly from Monday to Friday. You can check the schedule here.
Get off at Via Biron and walk south along the road of the same name. The Villa is directly west of the road. If the gate at the eastern side of the compound is closed, you’ll have to walk around and enter from the south.
How much is the visit to Villa Zileri?
The regular entrance fee is 12€, while reduced tickets are 6€.
When to visit Villa Zileri
The villa is open every day from 10AM to 5PM, except for Fridays, when it’s only open from 8.30AM to 12.30PM. You can double-check the times here.
What else to do in Vicenza
The ultimate guide to Vicenza, Italy – 10 amazing things to do in the City of Palladio