HISTORY

The property, which includes an extensive garden and park, is located on the eastern side of Asolo’s town centre in a historically important area, just below the Rocca or fortress.
The land was purchased in 1646 by the noble Venetian Rubini family and in 1691 the villa was erected by Cardinal Gian Battista Rubini, bishop of Vicenza and nephew of Pope Alexander VIII (known at the time as Pietro Ottoboni). The most illustrious figures of the time enjoyed hospitality at the villa. Thanks to the Cardinal, the villa became known as “Il Galero”, which is the name for the well-known headpiece that Cardinals wear consisting in of a very stiff hat with a ribbed tassel, which has been reproduced in various decorative elements throughout the villa.
In 1700 the Rubini family left Asolo and the villa eventually passed on to the Braga, Bragadin and Moretti families. In 1870 the property was sold to Carlo Naya, who then sold it in the 20th century to the Fioccone family and lastly to the De Lord Rinaldi family, the current owners.

The villa is embellished with decorations adorning the walls, stuccoes and Venetian plaster in the late Baroque style, all of which are well preserved, giving the villa a refined and elegant look.
The family archive has unfortunately been lost and the name of the artist who crafted the decorations remains unknown. It is safe to say that the work was done by a Venetian master.

GUESTS

Among the most well-known visitors are musicians such as Richter, Martha Argerich, Bruno Giuranna, Gian Francesco Malipiero, Maria Joao Pires and Claudio Scimone, as well as the architects Carlo Scarpa and Oscar Niemeyer.
Another figure of the literary world who often spent her time among the walls of the villa, telling tales of her adventurous trips, is the famous English writer and close friend of the family, Freya Stark.
Among the regular guests always welcomed with warmth and friendship were Duchess Irene of Savoy Aosta along with her son the Duke of Aosta, Princess Claudia of France, Queen Elena of Romania and Princess Maria Beatrice of Savoy.
In May of 1987 the Queen Mother of England came for lunch at ” the villa with pastel coloured stuccoes and walls”, and was surrounded by the inebriating scent of her favourite flowers during her visit: the centenarian roses.