Villa Foscari, also called La Malcontenta, is a 16th-century Palladian villa in Mira, on the Brenta River near Venice. Andrea Palladio designed it for brothers Nicolò and Alvise Foscari, with a symmetrical plan and two matching apartments around a shared central space. Inside, the main floor has frescoes of mythological figures, while the river-facing and garden-facing sides give the villa distinct characters. An audio guide and information cards help explain the architecture and decoration; some floors are not open to visitors.
Palladio’s design on the Brenta
Villa Foscari stands in Mira on the banks of the Brenta River. Also known as La Malcontenta, it was commissioned in the 1550s by the Venetian brothers Nicolò and Alvise Foscari. They intended to reach the villa by boat from Venice.
Andrea Palladio designed the building with three floors and a symmetrical plan. Two matching apartments sit on either side of a shared central space. Palladio’s use of proportions has been linked to the Vitruvian Man, a detail that an informed guide or audio commentary can help explain.
Frescoes and rooms
The main floor, or piano nobile, is decorated with a cycle of frescoes created by important Venetian painters of the 16th century. Mythological figures appear across the interior, including in paintings that extend from floor to ceiling. Information cards describe the villa and its decoration in several languages, and an audio guide is available in multiple languages.
A contemporary sculpture designed by Zaha Hadid has been displayed in one of the rooms. Its design was derived from the villa’s dimensions. Some upper and lower areas are not accessible, so the guide or information cards can provide context for parts of the building you cannot enter.
Two sides of the villa
The façades facing the river and the garden have different characters. Together, they show how Palladio’s measured design responds to the setting along the Brenta. The villa is also part of the group of Palladian villas in the Veneto recognized by UNESCO.
Planning a visit
Villa Foscari is at Via dei Turisti, 9, in Mira. It can be reached by road from Venice, and the villa was also designed with access by boat along the Brenta. On-site parking and free street parking are listed.
The villa is closed on Mondays. Opening times vary by day, so check the current schedule before setting out. A small bookshop is on site. If you want more context about the villa’s history and architecture, use the audio guide or seek out a guided visit.
Perguntas frequentes
Where is Villa Foscari?
Villa Foscari is at Via dei Turisti, 9, in Mira, on the Brenta River near Venice.
What is Villa Foscari known for?
Andrea Palladio designed this 16th-century villa for the Foscari brothers. Its symmetrical plan and mythological frescoes on the main floor are key features.
Can you visit every floor of Villa Foscari?
No. Some lower and upper areas are closed to visitors.
Is there an audio guide at Villa Foscari?
Yes. A multilingual audio guide is available, and information cards describe the villa and its decoration.
