Art in Italy: 1480-1580 | Palladio: Three Villas

A 1978 TV programme narrated by Tim Benton.

A guided tour through three Italian villas designed by Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio.

Andrea Palladio (November 30, 1508 – August 19, 1580) was an Italian architect. He was born in Padua and died at Maser, near Treviso. Palladio, influenced by Roman and Greek architecture, primarily Vitruvius, is widely considered to be one of the most influential individuals in the history of architecture. While he designed churches and palaces, he was best known for country houses and villas. His teachings, summarized in the architectural treatise, The Four Books of Architecture, gained him wide recognition. Palladio is known as one of the most influential architects in Western architecture. His architectural works have "been valued for centuries as the quintessence of High Renaissance calm and harmony".

The city of Vicenza, with its 23 buildings designed by Palladio, and 24 Palladian villas of the Veneto are listed by UNESCO as part of a World Heritage Site named City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. The churches of Palladio are to be found within the "Venice and its Lagoon" UNESCO World Heritage Site.