Design in Villa 2025: Thiene Castle takes center stage

Design in Villa 2025: Thiene Castle Between Art, Design, and History.

On March 15th and 16th, Thiene Castle opened its doors to one of the most fascinating events in the Veneto cultural scene: Design in Villa. A festival that successfully blended the timeless charm of historic Venetian residences with the innovative language of contemporary design, offering visitors a unique and evocative experience.

A Festival uniting historic Venetian homes with Contemporary Design

Design in Villa is a project promoted by Dimore Amiche del Veneto, under the patronage of prestigious institutions such as the Italian Historic Houses Association – Veneto Section and the Association for Venetian Villas.

The 2025 edition featured seven outstanding locations in the region, transforming ancient villas and castles into temporary art galleries. As reported by La Voce di Rovigo, each historic residence was paired with a prominent Italian designer, who was tasked with reinterpreting the spaces through their creations.

It was a true experiential journey, showcasing the relationship between memory and innovation, past aesthetics and present functionality. The event was widely covered by major publications such as Io Donna, Elle, and Arte Magazine.

Thiene Castle and Massimo Barbierato: a dialogue between past and future

One of the highlights of this year’s edition was Thiene Castle, also known as Villa Porto Colleoni, an extraordinary example of 15th-century pre-Palladian Gothic-Venetian architecture.

The castle is one of the most enchanting residences in the Vicenza area, with its crenellated towers, frescoed porticoes, and rooms that still preserve the charm of Venetian nobility.

Bringing life to the castle’s spaces were the works of Massimo Barbierato, a designer from Vicenza known for his conceptual and material-sensitive approach. His installations, perfectly integrated into the architectural context, reimagined Italian artistic craftsmanship through a contemporary lens, offering a perspective on design as a form of cultural and identity-based storytelling.

The initiative also held strong territorial value, contributing to the promotion of Veneto’s historical and artistic heritage.

Already known for guided tours and cultural events, Thiene Castle confirmed its role as a vibrant center for promoting a cultured and refined form of cultural tourism.

The exhibition route allowed visitors not only to discover the works of participating designers but also to immerse themselves in the authentic beauty of Venetian villas, prompting reflections on the role of contemporary art in places steeped in memory.

The event was met with both public and critical acclaim. Thousands of visitors explored the itinerary through villas and castles, captivated by the festival’s ability to unite worlds that seem distant at first glance: contemporary design and historic Venetian residences.

Design in Villa has reaffirmed itself as a must-see event for lovers of art, culture, and architecture, and as an opportunity to promote Made in Italy through the creativity of its key players.

Visit Thiene Castle: an experience of history and creativity

The castle offers guided tours and special openings, designed to celebrate particular moments or host exclusive events.

These are unique opportunities to admire normally inaccessible spaces, take part in cultural and sensory experiences, and discover new aspects of the residence, often accompanied by expert guides or temporary installations, as was the case during the Design in Villa festival.

Visiting Thiene Castle means not just admiring an architectural masterpiece, but connecting with a living heritage that continues to tell stories, move emotions, and surprise visitors—each time in a different way.

Stay updated on the page dedicated to Guided Tours.