Sixteenth-century square plan building of classical Venetian structure, four-pitch roof, with central hall passing with two serlianes (triple lancet windows) at the north & south facade,rectangular rooms at sides, stairs at the east side of the hall.
The Villa was owned for four centuries, until 1908 by the Venetian nobles Morosini, who used it for their own pleasure & marsh duck shooting. The Morosinis are a noble Venetian family & among one of the oldest in Venice: they gave the Republic four Doges: Tommasina Morosini became Queen of Hungary & gave birth to King Andrea II.
Subsequently, the Villa passed through several hands until 1963 when owners left La Morosina to crumble & decay. In 1500 the Villa stood on an elevated point of land in the southern marshy area of Motta di Livenza, in the hamlet of Villanova. The marsh has been reclaimed & the Villa is now surrounded by cultivated land, vineyards & arable.
La Morosina stood as a solemn cube on the flat profile of the landscape.
The pyramidal roof has four pitches supported by an ingenious wooden structural work that rests on 4 pillars, in addition to the external walls. Four chimneys with cherubs facing the compass points indicate the four seasons.
The use of pietra d'Istria marble is so massive & precious that it denotes an important structure, built without any concerns or worries regarding thrift by a very rich family who could afford investing a great amount in a 'hunting villa.
Originally it was without any agricultural functions or purposes. A villa of perfect Venetian proportions transported to the country: all the marble & stone elements were directly in Venice & transported by river & canal. The structure of the flights of stairs is of inclined barrel shaped masonry vaults & the steps are of solid pietra d'Istria marble.
The Villa plan is square with a 16.25m facade & depth. The four lateral rooms of the hall & piano nobile all measure 6x5m.
Renaissance Venetian Villa - The golden ratio runs through the architecture & is carved in stone details : historical Venetian herb garden: artists studio:
Villa Morosina has been restored using period bricks, tiles, mortar, plaster & stone in accordance with Belle Arte Venezia. All construction & windows in wood are of the highest quality & through extensive research match the original.
Morosina is a structural masterpiece with all the rooms remaining in their correct proportions. Where thought necessary the walls have been beautifully lime/clay plastered. The original plaster, bricks & paintwork in most rooms has been cleaned & left unrestored.
Entrance Hall:
Stunning uninterrupted entrance view through a central arch, through atrium, across gardens & following the tree lined avenue to the lake.
Kitchen- photos next week.
Proportionally correct: a beautiful original fireplace with carved golden ratio which appears numerous times throughout the villa. Fresh clay/lime plaster - comprehensive collection of iron & copper pots & pans hang.
Piano Nobile:
Beautiful Serlian windows (1537) give an immense amount of light throughout the day.
Unrestored terrazzo with Morosini mosaic centred, feels correct & balanced with the other rooms; the huge windows open onto the balcony & architectural brilliance of the room continues. Silkscreen 1960’s Pop art on the original powder pink & white plasterwork; 18th/19th & 20th century crystal & glass chandeliers. 4m40 ceiling height throughout.
Ottoman room: photos next week.
Freshly plastered: painted with pomegranates & hung with hand drawn & watercoloured drops from the Imperal Ottoman Empire tent collection.
Northeast Room:
The Coronation of Esther- the cartoon used for the, Manufacture des Gobelins, Paris, tapestry which hangs at Windsor Castle. 6 x 4m.
Studio:
Immense light : 180 x 360 degrees. 15 x 15m
Solid broad wood planking & astonishing dimensions of the open wood roof structure. Two silkscreen tables run east to west on both sides.
Atrium :
Filled with plants & light when the sun aligns with the avenue
Stairway:
One stairway is on the east side- construction in Istrian & Veronese stone.
Chapel:
An empty space beautiful & light - covered in Virginia creeper from spring until autumn - looks over informal gardens.
Gardens & lake.
Both beautiful throughout the year. The gardens directly in front of the villa have been laid out in proportion to the rooms & height of Morosina- a reflection. A grassed tree lined avenue leads to a private lake, surrounded by trees & bamboo. Not formal- views of the mountains over the vineyards.
Access:
Venice- 50min
Venice- Marco Polo- airport 40min.
Motorway- E70
Treviso - Canova - airport 40min.
Milan - Venice - train- 2.5 hours.
Good access with secure gated roads for all types of car/van/truck.
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