Despite his humble origins, Andrea della Gondola, the son of a miller from Padua knew success thanks to his extraordinary artistic talent. Today Andrea della Gondola is known throughout the world by his humanistic nickname, Palladio. This nickname was chosen for him by his first customer and admirer, the literary aristocrat from Vicenza, Giangiorgio Trissino.

The genius of architect from the sixteenth century left an indelible mark in history, transforming the appearance of the Veneto forever with exceptional works in urban centres, especially Vicenza and Venice, as well as in the hinterland. His original and unique creations were the first examples of rustic villas, expression of a dominant class open to culture, sensitive to the beauties of nature and art, and both active and prudent in administering their vast agricultural properties.

The buildings of Palladio were designed to meet large fortunes and to be imitated throughout the world in the centuries to come, first in Europe and then across the oceans.

The villas that he designed can be found throughout the Veneto, as well as in the center of Vicenza, and are now enshrined in the UNESCO list of World Heritage.

CISA (Centro Internazionale di Studi di Architettura) Andrea Palladio