Borgo Giustiniani

Borgo Giustiniani takes its name from an ancient castle that was destroyed in September 1404, by Uguccione dè Contrary, at the service of Nicola d’Este in the fight against the Venetians. Archaeological findings show that the territory of San Martino was settled since the Roman times. The stone road that goes through the park, and at the end of which you can see two pillars, was the communication route between the medieval Ferrara and Padua. The main building of the sixteenth century are in the so called “Stile Ferrarese”, and they used to be the border between the states of Ferrara and Venice. For this reason, travelers used to pay the duty at the two pillars .

In 1852 Maria Venezze, the only daughter of Francesco Venezze, married a Giustiniani, of Venetian origins, with properties in Padua and Vanzo. The properties of Maria were then left for nearly 100 years to tenants and administrators. The Villa called Ca ‘Venezze, that you can see walking down the long linden alley, returned to our grandfather Girolamo Giustiniani in 1968. “Grandfather Girmo” died in 1979, and the ownership of the “Borgo” was given in part to our father Pio, and in part to his sister Maria, our “Zia Mimma” .

In April 1985 uncle Mario, husband of aunt Mimma, decided together with our father Pio (see the photo in black and white), to begin the restoration of the main buildings in the center of the Borgo, with the goal to welcome guests from all the world. Uncle Mario made some great historical researches, going back through the centuries until the myth of the “Argonauts and the Golden Fleece” and the story of the Roman emperor Nero, who killed his mother Agrippina for taking possession of her properties in this part of Northern Italy . In 1994/1995 over 14,000 trees were planted around the country house.

Our father passed away in 1995, just a few months before uncle Mario.

In 1998 aunt Mimma decided to open the Agriturismo.

In 2005, our aunt asked us to complete the restoration of the 3 cottages, as she didn’t have enogh accommodation to satisfy the high demand of people who wanted to come on vacation. In 2006 we completed the restoration of our three apartments Melo, Pero and Mora , that aunt Mimma managed with all her passion and competence. In her 10 years of management, aunt Mimma welcomed over 500 families in our three cottages. She unfortunately passed away on 25th September 2014, and in order to ensure our guests the high standards of comforts that she ensured to the entire complex in her nearly 20 years of experience, we have decided to manage our property directly , with the passion and spirit that zia Mimma tought us.

Lodovico, Alvise and Filippo Giustiniani

Lodovico, Alvise and Filippo Giustiniani