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TRAVEL/TOURS ADVERTORIAL www.nadfas.org.uk NADFAS REVIEW / WINTER 2016 53 is often forgotten is that these related to the much humbler form of the farm house, exemplifi ed by the use of inexpensive materials: brick covered with stucco, rather than expensive stone. In 16th-century Italy, the rich mercantile classes and aristocracy often had farm estates that provided outdoor pursuits plus peace and quiet, food and income. “There are two sorts of fabricks [sic] required in a villa,” he wrote. “One for the habitation of the master, and of his family; and the other to manage and take care of the produce and animals of the villa.” With their echoes of ancient Roman temples, these colonnaded country houses were shrines to rich rustic living. Recurrent elements include barrel-vaulted salons inspired by Roman baths and the use of ravishing frescoes (the Villa Barbaro at Maser has examples by Veronese). But Palladio never forgot the rural farm setting of his villas. At the Villa Emo, near Fanzolo di Vedelago, the austerely beautiful main house is framed by two colonnaded wings that housed grain stores and other key agricultural elements, which Palladio’s design allowed to be accessed under cover in all weathers. Potentially smelly farm buildings like stables were placed beyond whiffi ng distance of the main house. Palladio always sited villas to provide the best and sunniest outlook. Take his hilltop masterpiece ‘La Rotonda’. Formally known as Villa Almerico Capra Valmarana, this was conceived as a summer house with 360-degree views, which Palladio achieved using centralized circular halls with wings and porticos on all four sides. Like architects today, Palladio didn’t always get to build what he drew. He often designed elegant curving colonnades stretching towards auxiliary estate buildings, which Palladio described as like arms opening to receive visitors. But he only built one example, at the temple-like Villa Badoer in Fratta Polesine. A key springboard for Palladio’s wider renown was his 1570 architectural treatise I Quattro Libri dell’ Architettura (The Four Books of Architecture), which set forward his ideas along with illustrations based on his architectural drawings. Many of these are now in the collections of RIBA in London, and it is here that the 1617 publication of an English edition of Palladio’s book spurred a challenge to Britain’s Tudor and Jacobean styles. Inigo Jones pioneered this new-fangled ‘Palladianism’, dotting London with columned temple-style fronts and Venetian windows, including the Queen’s House at Greenwich and the Banqueting House on Whitehall. Other ‘Palladian’ houses in Britain include Robert Adam’s Syon House and William Adam’s Arniston House near Edinburgh. Palladianism was exported to North America in the 1740s, where ‘Founding Father’ and later President Thomas Jefferson became a fervent fan – he reputedly said in 1816 that Palladio “was the Bible – you should get it and stick close to it”. Famous US examples of Palladianism include the South Caroline plantation mansion Drayton Hall, Jefferson’s plantation house at Monticello in Virginia – and The White House in Washington DC. Not bad for a humble architect from the Veneto. ■ We are not endorsing any product in the Tours features. Adverts are published for members’ convenience. Normal terms and conditions apply (see page 3). Any travel ad carrying the Tour NADFAS logo means a commission payment is made to NADFAS on the product or trip advertised. Those that support us through advertising only will not use the Tour NADFAS name and logo.MELODIES IN STONEExplore Palladio’s legacy with Brightwater Holidays’ ‘Palladian Villas of Veneto’ tour (May 16–20, 2017). It starts with the most famous sights in Vincenza including the Teatro Olympico and Villa Rotunda, then goes on to explore regional Palladio masterpieces (Villa Barbarigo, Villa Barbaro, Villa Emo and Villa Conterini) and other historic buildings, such as Padua’s Scrovegni Chapel. The price is £995pp and includes four nights’ b&b, fl ights, coach tour and tour manager. Call 01334 657155 or see www.brightwaterholidays.com for further details.Images: Shutterstock.