Villa Foscari in Mira, history and legends of ‘La Malcontenta’

Villa Foscari in Mira stands on the banks of the Naviglio del Brenta in harmony with its surrounding landscape. It is one of the most spectacular works by the architect Andrea Palladio, who designed it between 1555 and 1560. Let’s uncover all the secrets of a residence that, since 1996, has been part of the UNESCO world heritage, together with the other Venetian villas built by Palladio.

Where is Villa Foscari in Mira?

The villa, also known as La Malcontenta, is near the town of Mira, in the province of Venice. It overlooks the Naviglio del Brenta canal, in whose waters it is reflected.

Who were the Foscari family?

Until the 16th century, the land on which the villa stands belonged to the Valier family who entrusted its management to the procurators of San Marco, who in turn sold the land to Federico Foscari. When he died, Foscari left his possessions to his sons. It was Nicolò and Alvise Foscari who, in 1555, appointed the great architect to design the villa. Nicolò did not live to see it completed, but an inscription on the façade honours his memory.

The history of the villa

Between 1600 and 1700, inns, houses, stables and a chapel were built in the area around the villa, as can be seen from some 18th-century engravings. Numerous famous people of the time passed through here, from the King of Poland Henry III, welcomed with his cortege in 1574, to Ferdinand Grand Duke of Tuscany who was a guest at the villa in 1629. In 1709 it hosted Frederick IV of Denmark and in 1966 even the Queen of England.

During the Napoleonic period the villa was abandoned, and under the Austrians it fell into a state of decay. In 1924 the American Albert Landsberg bought the villa and restored it, saving its frescoes and architectural beauty. A new restoration took place in 1965 with the contribution of the organisation that looks after the historic villas of the Veneto region. Then in 1974 it returned to the Foscari family, whose descendants bought it back. It still belongs to the same family but, although it is a private residence, it can be visited.

The structure of Villa Foscari

The current complex includes the villa, the ‘barchessa’ (an outbuilding with a portico) and a block of flats. At the centre of the perfectly symmetrical three-storey villa is a sumptuous cross-vaulted hall around which there are four rooms with vaulted ceilings. The main façade, facing the water, has a loggia with Ionic columns and is especially tall compared to other works by Palladio.

The frescoes of Villa Foscari

It’s not only Palladio’s architecture that makes Villa Foscari a real jewel among the villas overlooking the Brenta. The frescoes that decorate the interior are also splendid, and are the work of the painter Battista Franco. After his death he was replaced by Giambattista Zelotto and Bernardino India.

The frescoes depict mythological and allegorical themes and fit in perfectly with the architectural motifs, creating original optical effects that visually expand the spaces. While the frescoes in the central hall have been damaged by centuries of neglect, those in the side rooms are still intact. Among the most beautiful is the Fall of the Giants.

Why is it called La Malcontenta?

According to legend, the villa is known as La Malcontenta because of a lady of the house who was forced to remain within the confines of the villa as punishment for her excessive freedom. Everyone knew that the woman lived in seclusion but no one ever saw her, not so much as a glimpse of her at a window.

Another version has its roots in history and refers to the name the area already had in 1431 when the Brenta Canal was built, causing discontent among the inhabitants of Padua and Piove di Sacco.

Yet another story has it that the area was called Malcontenta because the Brenta, being ‘mal contenuto’ (badly contained), overflowed far too often.

*Top image – credits to @aminjaffer_curator

Article translated by Jasmina Towers

Tag

Curiosities

Luxury Real Estate

Travel

Subscribe to our newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date with our latest news Subscribe with your email address to receive the latest news, updates and practical tips from the real estate world directly in your inbox

Subscribe