Once a month, the streets around Villa Contarini stop belonging to cars entirely and turn into one of the largest open-air antique markets in the region — a slow, sprawling wander through furniture, paintings, coins, and objects that once belonged to noble Venetian families.
The market stalls beside the Palladian Loggias.
Known locally as "Cose d'altri Tempi" — "Things of Other Times" — the market has been running for roughly 40 years, organized by the Pro Loco Piazzola. It's widely regarded as one of the most important antique markets in Italy, drawing collectors and visitors from across the country and from abroad.
The market runs every last Sunday of the month, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM. If the last Sunday falls on Easter or Christmas, the market moves to the following Monday instead. It's worth checking the current year's calendar before you plan a trip around it, since dates can shift.
The market spreads across Piazza Paolo Camerini in front of Villa Contarini, under the arcades of the square, through the surrounding streets of the historic center, and inside the former Jutificio Camerini — specifically its old spinning hall, the Sala della Filatura. For the day, the streets of the center close to traffic entirely, turning the whole area into one continuous market. With more than 800 exhibitors, it's large enough to spend a full morning in and still not see everything.
Expect genuinely old and valuable pieces — some once belonging to dukes, marquises, and noble families — alongside a huge range of collectibles: militaria, coin collections, vinyl records, and period-style furniture. It's less a curated antiques fair and more a treasure hunt: paintings lean against stalls next to boxes of unsorted curios, and half the fun is not knowing what you'll find until you find it.
Inside the Sala della Filatura, a bar and food stand run by the Pro Loco serves hot dishes for a lunch break in the middle of your visit. Bring cash — many exhibitors accept cash only — and don't be shy about negotiating; bargaining is a normal part of buying here, especially for multiple pieces.
By car from Padua, take the A4 motorway toward Piazzola sul Brenta; parking is available in the industrial zone for a small fee, with a free shuttle bus running visitors to within about 100 meters of the market. From Padua's train station, a local bus also connects to Piazzola, with more frequent service in the morning. If you're staying at the apartment, none of this applies to you — you're already on the square where it happens.
Market Sunday, seen from the apartment window.
The apartment's entrance opens directly onto Piazza Camerini, the market's main stage. No parking to find, no walk to plan — just step outside once the stalls go up.
Boutique House alle Logge. A private stay inside the historic Palladian Loggias of Villa Contarini, in Piazzola sul Brenta.
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Roberta Zamberlan · Private host
CIR: 028063-LOC-00006
CIN: IT028063C2HZT6VFUH