Secret tour, underground rooms and night visits in a fifteenth century Venetian villa

About

The crenellated walls say castle. Inside, the story is already moving towards the great Venetian country villas that Palladio would perfect a century later. Built around 1450 for Francesco Porto, Castello di Thiene combines Gothic windows, Venetian details, arcaded courtyards, working agricultural buildings and rooms still furnished with historic paintings and furniture. Its extraordinary five light Gothic window is unique among fifteenth century villas on the Venetian mainland. In summer, come after the normal visitors have gone. 

SPRING ↓ / SUMMER ↓ / AUTUMN ↓ / WINTER ↓

SPRING: SECRET KITCHENS AND PROSECCO IN A GOTHIC CASTLE

At Castello di Thiene, in Vicenza, Italy, A Hidden Castle Experience combines an English guided tour with access to the historic kitchens and underground icehouse. The published evening programme began at 18:30 and finished with a glass of Prosecco and refreshments. Allow around two hours for the visit and aperitivo.

Check the next edition and English tour availability
Bookings: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

SPRING MUSIC: HANDEL AND PURCELL INSIDE THE CASTLE

For Le Dimore della Musica, soprano Alice Fraccari and harpsichordist Enrico Bissolo performed Handel’s Armida abbandonata and music from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen inside the historic residence. Organised with the Società del Quartetto di Vicenza, the concert began at 18:30. This is the spring programme to check for an evening of Baroque music in a private Italian castle.

Check the next concert programme
Concert information: +39 0444 543729 · info@quartettovicenza.org

SUMMER: A CASTLE NIGHT TOUR THROUGH A SHAKESPEARE FILM LOCATION

The summer night tour follows the furnished halls, courtyards and monumental stables, with published departures at 20:30 and a duration of 90 minutes. In the stables, red marble columns divide the stalls and carved wooden mangers line the walls. These rooms became the wedding church for Portia and Bassanio in The Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino and Jeremy Irons, a filming location documented by Italy for Movies.

Check the next summer night tours
Bookings: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

SUMMER MUSIC: QUEEN BY CANDLELIGHT

Candle Castle Night puts the concert in the castle’s atrium. Its repertoire has included Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, John Lennon’s Imagine and My Heart Will Go On from Titanic. Previous performances began at 20:00 and 22:00, with an hour of music by candlelight beneath the Gothic architecture.

Check the next candlelit concert
Information: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

AUTUMN: 1,500 CANDLES AND RENAISSANCE DRESS

For Journey into the Renaissance, historical interpreters in sixteenth century costume guided visitors through the castle by the light of more than 1,500 candles. The November edition offered visits lasting one hour, with evening admissions. The separate Candle Night programme also includes the old kitchens and monumental stables, so check which route accompanies the next candlelit opening.

Check the next candlelit castle visit
Bookings: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

HALLOWEEN: HORROR INSIDE THE CASTLE

The castle’s Halloween productions include The Farm and Salem, theatrical horror adventures through the historic rooms. The published Salem programme admits small groups at timed intervals for a 35 minute experience, with evening departures. Check the event’s age guidance when booking: the horror programme is separate from the afternoon activities for younger children.

Check the next Halloween programme
Information and bookings: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

WINTER: SHAKESPEARE THROUGH THE ROOMS

For Valentine’s Day, Shakespeare’s Love Stories in the Veneto brought Romeo and Juliet, Othello and other Shakespearean characters into the castle. The audience followed the actors from room to room during a 90 minute performance, with evening admissions at 18:00, 19:30 and 21:00. Check the next winter theatre programme and the performance language before booking.

Check the next Shakespeare performance
Information and bookings: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

CHRISTMAS: FIND FATHER CHRISTMAS BEFORE THE BALL

In Santa Claus’s Magical Castle, preparations for the Christmas ball go wrong: decorations are missing, the elves are behaving strangely and Father Christmas has vanished. Children join the search through games, music and riddles, with actors performing inside the castle. Previous editions lasted one hour and included 18:00 admission, after nightfall.

Check the next Christmas edition
Information and bookings: +39 329 8541962 · info@castellodithiene.com

VISITING INFORMATION

Events take place on selected dates. The experiences above refer to published editions; check the next programme for dates, prices, language and rooms included.