We all know that the Venetian aristocracy was distinguished for its powerful vocation for business that manifested itself in the form of trade on the seas and in farming on the mainland: the structure of the Palladian Villas perfectly illustrates the life of the Venetian noblemen, who lived in union with the countryside and their warehouses (“barchesse”).

Film buffs will recognize Villa Emo Capodilista as the home of Portia, the rich heiress in “The Merchant of Venice” in the movie version of Shakespeare’s work directed by Michael Radford, starring Al Pacino, some scenes of which were filmed here. There could have been no more authentic set as the Villa has

10bisbeen in existence since the second half of the XVI century.

A jewel of 16th century Venetian architecture, the Villa is also known as “La Montecchia” because it is built on the top of a small hill in the Parco Regionale dei Colli Euganei [Regional Park of the Euganean Hills], between Venice and Padua.

Designed by the architect and painter Dario Varotari, the Villa was built as a hunting lodge for the Capodilista family.

The façades on all four sides of this square building are identical. Each one faces one of the four cardinal points and has its own stairway that meets with the others inside the building to form a cross.

Winter is approaching and it is time to turn on the stoves, wear heavy sweaters and spend increasingly shorter days with loved ones. There is nothing better 1309772422229than beating the cold grey winter days with a warm bowl of Tuscan soup.

To prepare it, we will take advantage of the help of a dear friend from Ville in Italia. Her name is Roberta Paris, food lover and Tuscan born and raised, who enchants and delights Italians (and not only!) with the recipes from her blog called The Dreaming Seed.

With this traditional Tuscan recipe, she describes her experience.