Unknown villas, some of which have never been surveyed, stately homes built over the centuries close to the city, just outside the walls, buildings of immense historical and artistic value on which not enough has been reflected. What cultural model do they respond to? Did they have a function of only representation, of ostentation of their status and of Goldonian holiday? And above all, today, what is the state of conservation and enhancement of this ‘hidden’ heritage, incorporated in contemporary urban expansion?

These are the themes addressed during the round table “Le Ville e i Palazzi storici di Verona e dintorni. Un patrimonio urbano e suburbano da ri-conoscere e ri-valutare” that was held in Verona on 6 and 7 December 2019. Also present during the event were the Councillor for Culture, Tourism, Youth Policies, Equal Opportunities Francesca Briani and the President of the 1st District – Historical Centre Giuliano Occhipinti.

Interventions

During the meeting there were authoritative guests in the scientific field such as Prof. Daniela Zumiani, Professor of History of Architecture at the University of Verona, on the topic “ Tra palazzo di città e villa suburbana: lo schifar la noia della rampante borghesia veronese (sec. XVII-XIX)”, Doctor Francesco Monicelli for a focus on the suburban villas of the Giusti family and unknown villas and Prof. Danilo Gasparini, professor of History of Agriculture and Food at the University of Padua who dealt with the topic entitled “Palladio’s minor daughters”. The Verona villas between prestige and oblivion. The programme includes guided tours by Prof. Daniela Zumiani.