Villa Barbarigo (Valsanzibio)
The Villa Barbarigo (also known as Villa Barbarigo Pizzoni Ardemani from its various proprietors) is a 17th-century rural villa, located on over 40 acres (160,000 m2) at Valsanzibio, a frazione of Galzignano Terme, south of Padua, northern Italy; it was built by the Venetian aristocratic family of the Barbarigo.
It is girded by a remarkable Baroque garden, with statuary (including a statue of aged and winged time carrying a cuboctahedron), water works, architecture, and even a Boxwood labyrinth. Originally commissioned in 1669 by Zuane Francesco Barbarigo, the villa was once accessible by canal from Venice. The construction continued under Zuane's son, Gregorio Barbarigo, a Cardinal and future Saint, with plans by Luigi Bernini. The sculpture was mainly completed by Enrico Merengo. The plan was meant to define the approach to the villa as an allegory of man's progress towards his own perfectibility or salvation.
This villa should not be confused with Villa Barbarigo at Noventa Vicentina.
Further reading
- Attlee, Helena (2006). Italian Gardens - A Cultural History (paperback). London: Frances Lincoln. pp. 240 pages. ISBN 978-0-7112-3392-8.
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