Villa Emo near Fanzolo di Vedelago (Treviso) was built in 1558/9 by Andrea Palladio for the Emo family of Venice.
It follows two perpendicular lines: the horizontal lines of the villa itself and the vertical created by the ample drive once lined with poplar trees.
The central building, set slightly ahead of the two side wings (barchesse), is striking. The classic façade, echoing the portico of a Greek temple, has four Doric columns and a tympanum decorated with a pair of winged Victoriesholding the Emo family crest. The high base of the façade is linked to the front courtyard by a ramp that was originally used to facilitate agricultural work.
The barchesse are side wings of equal size, each featuring a colonnade of 11 round arches. Originally used for stabling and farm use, they now house polyfunctional rooms and service areas.
The main building has kitchens on the first floor while the piano nobile has a large central reception area with rooms frescoed by Battista Zelotti in 1560. On the top floor beneath the roof, the former grain stores and servants’ quarters were transformed into suites by the Emo family.
The complex is surrounded by a swathe of land, much of which was cultivated when the Villa was a working farm.
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