The Riviera del Brenta along the route of the ancient Burchielli.

The “Veneto Villa” is dued to a new life-style introduced in the Venitian domains between the 15th and 16th century. It lasted for over two centuries until 1797 when the glorious Venitian Repubblic fell. More than 200 villas were built to show the politic and economic power of such a great city and still today, they represent the tradition of the local arquitecture.
Since the 16thcentury, canals and rivers that could be easily reached from Venice were enriched by magnificent summer estates and the villa became the answer to the need of evasion of rich lords of Venice.

The Brenta river connecting Venice and Padua- ideal extension of the Venitian Grand Canal- became a well-known place of delights with more than forty luxurious palaces. Here, not far from the city, rich nobles spent their holidays. We arrive at Oriago, ancient theatre of war between Padua and Venice that retains “il termine” (ancient column of the boundary mark) and numerous other villas, including the cosy Villa Gradenigo, decorated with frescoes by Benedetto Caliari, Paolo Veronese’s brother.

Along the route we arrive at Mira where the largest concentration of villas is.

We admire the great colonnade of Villa Barchessa Valmarana and its important paintings made by Michelangelo Schiavoni.
Also to be mentioned are Villa Widmann, summer estate of the 18th century, surronded by a magnificent park;
Villa Corner famous for the sumptuous parties lasting over 8 days and
Villa Foscarini where Lord Byron lived (1817 - 1818).

Villa Pisani. At Stra, where the Brenta Canal originates by the Brenta River, there is the huge Villa Pisani the biggest villa in Veneto as a National Museum. A Ducale Palace inland built for the Pisani family between 1720 - 1740, decorated by artists such as: Guarana, Rosalba
Carriera, Simonini.

It is a jewel full of numerous works of art i.e.:
the Pompeiana hall, Bacco’s room and many others embellished with rare furniture including the amazing ballroom with the ceiling painted by Giambattista Tiepolo, his last work in Italy. In the park there are the ice-house, the maze, the gardener’s house, the stables and the orangerie.

A MUST-SEE..
In september (second week), you cannot miss the striking "Riviera Fiorita", a parade of decorated historical boats, "bissone" (parade boats) and rowres in costumes, who pass from Stra to Mira, in memory of the encounter in 1574 between Henry III King of France and Doge of Venice. The boats are nearly a hundred: boat parade, caorline, bissone, more than 1000 characters, musicians and rowers, all in Venetian costumes.

Mirano offers the Great Goose Game in the square, with two-meter tables, people in costume, games, street artists and a lot of geese!
The Venice Marathon, from Stra to Venice, is one of the most beautiful sporting events with over 6,000 participants.