La Selvatica

near PADUA

At a glance

Set in a magnificent garden of century-old trees, is the beautiful Villa La Selvatica, a Venetian villa dating back to the late 1400s, built on the ruins of an ancient medieval castle mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy. The villa is pre-Palladian and is a typical patrician country residence which the noble families of Venice used as summer residences and farmlands.

It displays the typical symmetry of identical elegantly sober facades, with graceful arched doorways surmounted by original masks. On the ground and first floors are the grand central salons with lateral smaller rooms. Smaller buildings for farming purposes were added to complement the main villa in the 1800s.

Parkland of over three hectares surrounds the villa which is flanked on one side by the river Tergola and the ancient “peschiera” fed by the river, offering peaceful relaxation and enjoyable country walks along the river . A recent restoration of the villa was completed in 1997 and now offers four very comfortable apartments immersed in the timeless atmosphere of this fascinating residence.

La Selvatica is well positioned for visiting the entire Veneto region. It is just 30 km from Venice which can be reached by car or by train from Dolo, by bicycle along the banks of the Brenta or in one of the boats plying the river and the Riviera del Brenta with its famous Palladian villas. Vicenza is just 40 km away, Verona and Lake Garda 85 km, Padua 12 km. The northern part of Veneto with the walled medieval towns of Castelfranco, Cittadella, Bassano and Asolo are all within easy reach in a day trip.

The Apartments
All apartments offer air-conditioning, autonomous heating, screened windows, TV and telephone.

Le Magnolie (160 sq mt) – Sleeps 6 + 2
Luxurious apartment on the second floor in the central part of the villa and furnished with antiques. It is comprised of a spacious entry, living room, large kitchen, one queen bedroom with ensuite bathroom with tub, one twin or queen bedroom, bathroom with shower. In the loft, reached by a wooden staircase, is a twin bedroom and bathroom with shower. Eat-in kitchen with fridge, oven and gas stove top, table for eight. The living room offers two single sofa beds, armchairs and sofa and is furnished with antiques. 

Il Fogher (90 sq mt) – Sleeps 4+2
On the ground floor in the west wing of the villa, this apartment is characterized by the big old fireplace (fogher) in the living room and the beamed ceilings. Furnishings are in an elegant country style. The apartment is comprised of a living room, one queen size bedroom with walk in closet, one twin bedroom, one bathroom with shower and tub, very large living room with double sofa bed, kitchenette and dining area.

La Serra (50 sq mt) – Sleeps 2 + 2
This apartment is a separate cottage which was once the limonaia where potted lemon trees were kept in winter. It is entered from the garden and has large south-facing windows. There is one twin or queen bedroom separated from the living room by the entry hall. The living area is combined living-dining room with kitchenette complete with fridge, oven and gas cooker. In this room is a queen size sofa bed. One bathroom with shower.

Il Portico (45 sq mt) – Sleeps 2+2
This apartment is on the ground floor of the barchessa, ancient rural part of the villa and has independent access from the garden. It offers a twin or queen bedroom, living-dining room with double sofa bed, kitchen corner complete with fridge, oven and gas stove top. Bathroom with shower.