Discover what to do in Villa Estense in the Province of Padua: Villa Beer Fest, Palazzo San Bonifacio, Chiesa dei Santi Andrea Apostolo e Colomba di Sens. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Villa Estense?
The municipality of Villa Estense borders Este to the north, Vescovana to the southeast, Sant’Urbano to the southwest, Sant’Elena and Granze to the east, and Vighizzolo d’Este and Sant’Urbano to the west.
Villa Beer Fest
Villa Beer Fest takes place every year in August near the municipal sports facilities in Via Finale. The 2023 edition of the event was held from Wednesday 16 to Sunday 20 August.
An ideal occasion for gourmands in search of hearty, tempting dishes, this village festival offers spacious outdoor dining areas where you can enjoy tasty sandwiches, succulent ribs, sausages and grilled pork chops served with slices of polenta cooked on the griddle, crispy fries and cold mugs of beer, perfect for quenching your thirst and easing the summer heat.
Adding to the festive evenings are exhilarating tribute band concerts, where you can let loose to some of the greatest hits of Italian and international rock, pop and disco music.
If you’re wondering what to do in Villa Estense and want to spend a memorable summer filled with live music, rivers of beer and mouth-watering homemade specialties, taking part in Villa Beer Fest could be just the thing for you!
For more information about Villa Beer Fest, you can visit the Facebook page Pro Loco di Villa Estense.
Palazzo San Bonifacio
Located in Via C. Battisti, 1, Palazzo Bonifacio is a splendid noble residence set in the historic heart of the municipality. The Renaissance architectural complex consists of the main house and two adjoining wings arranged in a U-shape.
Harmoniously set in a radiant garden dotted with cypress and Atlas cedar trees, the majestic stately building is enclosed by a boundary wall pierced by three elaborate gates.
Particularly striking is the gate on the west side, framed by two exposed-brick pillars topped with the white, moss-veiled sculptures of two warriors in armor and with shields, one armed with a sword, the other with a spear.
Behind the wall enclosure, a lush oleander hedge appears. Through the west gate, whose top is crowned by the family coat of arms in wrought iron, you can glimpse the elegant staircase leading to the entrance.
On the west façade, eight square windows open at ground level. In line with those below, the rectangular windows on the first and second floors are decorated with cornices and divided by pilasters.
At the center of the façade are two arched windows. The one on the noble floor is embellished with a balustrade, while the one on the second floor has a projecting balcony. The latter is enhanced by the coat of arms of the family, standing out above the keystone.
If you’re wondering what to do in Villa Estense, Palazzo San Bonifacio Ardit is one of the most significant architectural and cultural landmarks of the Lower Padua area.
Chiesa dei Santi Andrea Apostolo e Colomba di Sens
Located in Via Roma, 9, the parish church is defined by a solemn façade marked on the ground floor by Corinthian half-columns resting on tall bases. Decorated with square panels, the solid wooden portal is topped by a curved pediment, above which stands the inscription D.O.M. IN HONOREM S.ANDREAE. AP. S. COLUMBAE.V.M.
On either side of the portal are two niches topped by triangular pediments, housing two statues: the one on the left depicts Saint Andrew the Apostle, recognizable by the heavy cross, while the one on the right depicts Saint Peter, recognizable by the symbols of the key and the tiara at his feet.
Above the dentil cornice rises the upper register, paced by two pairs of pilasters framing two niches. In the one on the right, Saint John the Apostle is identified by the symbol of the eagle.
Completing the structure is the triangular pediment topped by three statues, the central one depicting a winged figure with a trumpet.
The single nave of the church is decorated with stucco ornamentation, splendid altars in polychrome marble and fine altarpieces, one of which was created by Paolo Veronese.
