In the heart of Vò Vecchio, in the territory of the Euganean Hills, stands the Villa Contarini Giovanelli-Venier, an elegant historic residence established around the end of the 16th century in an area that has always been a crossroads between the Berici and Euganean hills, reclaimed by the Serenissima.
Originally conceived as a noble villa modeled after a Venetian palace, it was enriched over the centuries by illustrious families such as the Contarini and, in the 19th century, the Giovanelli-Venier, who redefined its spaces and the scenic “bovolo” staircase. The complex still preserves its Baroque layout with a courtyard, barchesses, and a drop-shaped garden.
A place of great historical and symbolic value, the villa also experienced painful moments during World War II when it was used as an internment camp. In the post-war period, it took on new civic functions until a recent restoration was completed in 2012.
Today, the villa is a cultural hub open to visitors, featuring the Museum of the Landscape, exhibition spaces, and the Holocaust Museum, making it a site of memory, art, and knowledge. An unmissable stop for those wishing to discover the Euganean Hills through architectural beauty, history, and reflection.
