Villa Capra "La Rotonda", Renaissance art museum in Vicenza, Italy
Villa la Rotonda is a Palladio-designed building with four identical porticos extending from each facade, topped by a central dome above a circular hall. The interior features symmetrical rooms organized around this central circular space, creating a balanced layout visible throughout.
A wealthy clergy member commissioned Palladio in 1567 to design the villa, yet neither lived to see its completion. The building took decades to finish and eventually became an influential model for aristocratic homes across Europe.
The name Villa la Rotonda comes from the circular hall at its center, which was designed as the main gathering space. Visitors can experience how this central room still anchors the entire layout and shapes how people move through the building today.
The interior is open Friday through Sunday, with guided tours offered occasionally by the current owner. The surrounding gardens and exterior views can be visited on most days when conditions allow.
The design influenced numerous buildings worldwide, including the White House in Washington, which adopted its fundamental layout principles. This global reach makes it one of the most copied architectural models in Western architectural history.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
