Villa di Modolo

Villa di Modolo is one of the 15 main villas in the province of Belluno and is included in Antonio Canova’s catalogue of the ‘One Hundred Venetian Villas’. Travelling through the countryside of Modolo, visitors will arrive at a small square where the family chapel dedicated to St. Lawrence stands. Entering through the 18th century gate to the garden of the Villa, you will see the old stables and then Villa di Modolo, a grand early 19th-century building designed by architect Andrea Miari.

The main building, decorated with Ionic and Corinthian semi-columns, extends into a wing connected to a smaller building known as the Barchessa, featuring a ground-floor portico and cellars, which display an inscription with the date of 1644. The estate is one of the greatest examples of villas seamlessly integrated into the rich tradition of the most significant Venetian models.

The history
Reliable records indicate that the Miari family originates from Vicenza, the birthplace of Felice Miari’s sons, who founded the Belluno lineage in the 11th century. The first historical attestation of the surname refers to Andrea Da Miaro, who served as Captain of Feltre in 1110. In the following centuries, subsequent generations of the main branch of the family held significant positions and played prominent roles. In 1248, Alessandro Miari helped defend the city of Belluno; in 1391, Andrea Miari was granted the Castello di Zumelle by Giangaleazzo Visconti for his services, while in 1404, Bartolomeo Miari fought for Venice and planted the banner of St. Mark on the drawbridge of the Castle of Belluno. In the same period, Canon Clemente Miari wrote his famous “Diaries of Belluno Chronicles”.

The size and current appearance of the Villa date back to 1806, when a major renovation project was undertaken, altering the orientation of the main façade. These modifications established Villa Modolo as one of the most notable villas in the province of Belluno.

In more recent times, following the dramatic years of the First World War, during which time the Villa was used as a field hospital by both the German and then the Italian forces, numerous restoration projects were carried out, including various cutting-edge technology related to agriculture and livestock. Today the family continues this tradition, integrating it with activities related to tourism, art, catering and agricultural experimentation.