Barco della Regina Cornaro, Renaissance barchessa in Altivole, Italy.
The Barco della Regina Cornaro is a Renaissance barchessa in Altivole characterized by a long facade with five arches in its central loggia. Preserved 16th-century frescoes cover the walls with intricate artistic details.
Queen Caterina Cornaro commissioned architect Francesco Grazioli to build this residence between 1491 and 1492 after ceding Cyprus to Venice. The project emerged when wealthy Venetian families were creating luxurious retreats on the mainland.
The frescoes show religious and mythological scenes such as Saint George and the Dragon and Apollo and Daphne. These paintings reflect the education and power that residents displayed during the Renaissance.
The structure is located at Via Barco 51 in Altivole and currently stands in poor condition. It remains closed to public access, so visitors should view it from outside or check in advance about possible guided tours.
The original property extended across roughly 100 hectares with gardens, hunting grounds, and water features. A statue of the goddess Amphitrite stood at the center to underscore the family's mythological connections.
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