The Small Temple

Within the monumental complex of Villa di Maser, the masterpiece of Andrea Palladio, lies a small yet captivating sacred building: the Tempietto Barbaro, often simply called the villa’s Tempietto. 

This small oratory, situated slightly above the level of the villa, is a true architectural jewel that completes and enriches the harmony of the entire site. Designed by Andrea Palladio himself in the final years of his career, the Tempietto was commissioned by the Barbaro family, owners of the villa, to serve as a private chapel and burial place. 

It was built around 1580, shortly before the architect’s death, and represents one of his most mature and symbolic works. 

Externally, the Tempietto appears as a small centrally planned church, inspired by classical Roman architecture. Its form recalls an ancient temple, with an elegant pronaos façade topped by a triangular pediment, supported by Ionic columns. The whole structure culminates in a harmonious dome, evoking the geometric and symbolic perfection of the rotunda, so dear to Palladio. 

Inside, the space is intimate and reserved, conceived for meditation and prayer. The main altar is placed at the center of the wall opposite the entrance, adorned with sober yet elegant decorations. Here rest the remains of brothers Daniele and Marcantonio Barbaro cultured and refined patrons, deeply connected to the villa and its cultural and spiritual vision. 

The entire building reflects Palladio’s ideal of harmony between man, architecture, and nature. The location of the Tempietto, nestled in the greenery of the Treviso hills and slightly detached from the villa, creates a symbolic continuity between daily life and the spiritual realm. 

Over the centuries, the Tempietto has preserved its religious function and is still open to visitors today, offering a unique opportunity to discover one of the most refined examples of Palladian sacred architecture. 

The Tempietto of Villa di Maser is more than a chapel: it is a spiritual and cultural manifesto of the Renaissance, where beauty and faith blend in perfect synthesis.