The Valmarana family can be traced back at least to the Middle Ages. The first written source dates back to 1174 and tells that a member of the familiy is an archdeacon of the Carthedral of Vicenza. In 1260 a member called Bonazonta is considered “homo molto amato dal popolo” (“a man much loved by the people”), while another one called Bugarando is mentioned as one of the most powerful enemies of the tyrant Ezzelino da Romano. Around 1300 the family splits in three branches: Villa Valmarana ai Nani was purchased by the San Faustino branch, to which it still belongs nowadays.
Andrea Palladio, the renowned Italian architect, did a lot of works for the Valamaranas. Around 1561, thanks to their support, he got the contract for the reconstruction of the Basilica located in Piazza dei Signori in Vicenza. 5 years later, in 1566, Leonardo Valmarana appointed him to design the palace in Corso Fogazzaro. Palladio also designed the small, yet magnificent Cappella Valmarana situated in the crypt of the Santa Corona church. The Loggia Valamarana inside the garden of Porta Castello, instead, is only attributed to the great architect (although the autorship is not certain).