Italian Tours | Veneto

05 Jan Five Hidden Gems of the Veneto

Posted at 07:12h in Architecture, Destinations, Food and Wine, Travel Tips by Italian Tours

The Veneto boasts some of Italy’s most popular tourist attractions, like Venice and Verona, but it also contains hidden gems that are often overlooked and underestimated. You can discover these treasures that lie off the usual tourist path, even in popular destinations. Whether it’s the tranquil trattorias and the serene lagoon at Torcello in Venice or the symmetrical and breathtaking Giardino Giusti in Verona, there’s something to captivate everyone.

Here are five lesser-known places you should consider if you visit this extraordinary corner of Italy. We include each location on our The Lands of the Serenissima tour of the Veneto in June this year.

1. The Scrovegni Chapel: A Frescoed Masterpiece

Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel is an artistic jewel housing a series of breathtaking frescoes by Giotto. The chapel was consecrated in 1305 and is renowned for its narrative cycle depicting the lives of the Virgin Mary and Christ. The artist’s masterful use of perspective and emotional depth was celebrated at the time; it revolutionised art and influenced the newly emerging style, which would later be known as the Renaissance. The meticulous preservation of the chapel and its enormous cultural significance make it a must-visit location. Even for those less excited about art, the experience of being part of a small group walking into this space where vivid colours surround you is spellbinding.

2. Prosecco Hills: A Toast to Tranquility

The Prosecco Hills is a stunning landscape of soft green contours in the foothills of the Dolomites. Part of the area features the vine-covered slopes that make its much-appreciated wine. But it’s also an area for cultivating chestnuts, corn and cheese. It has castles, abbeys, and hilltop churches with impressive views and thousands of years of history. At Follina, the Abbey is a quiet witness to the passing years. The Molinetto della Croda, a nearby watermill, was built in the 1700s. Not far off, the Pieve di San Pietro, a historic church, adds its presence to the unmistakable charm of the surroundings. In the Prosecco Hills, the muted atmosphere lets the heritage of the land speak for itself.

3. Marostica: Living Chess and Medieval Charms

Marostica is a small town with a charming medieval feel. It is famous for its twice-a-year chess game, which takes place on a giant chessboard in the town square and is played with live actors in pageant costumes. The town has meandering cobblestone streets and mediaeval walls watched over by the Lower and Upper Castles. It is not on the regular tourist trail, and the atmosphere resembles a typical provincial town, albeit with impressive attractions.

4. Cittadella: A Fortress Frozen in Time

Cittadella is a small walled city. It was built in the 13th century, and its walls remain largely intact, making it a fascinating spot to visit. You can walk along the walls and explore the city’s many towers, gates and other architectural features. The town also boasts several beautiful churches, museums and galleries, and restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine. Cittadella is a charming and picturesque town that offers a glimpse into medieval Italian life.

5. Vicenza: Palladian Elegance

Vicenza holds a remarkable collection of architectural wonders and a deep cultural heritage. The city is an ideal destination for architecture enthusiasts, who can marvel at the Palladian Basilica and the Teatro Olimpico, among other notable landmarks. The charming streets offer plenty of opportunities to take a leisurely stroll and soak up the local atmosphere. Surrounding the city is the natural beauty of the Berici Hills, which is perfect for outdoor activities.

Discover these hidden gems and others on our Veneto tour, Lands of the Serenissima, which aims to reveal Veneto’s unique secrets by including a mixture of culture, scenery, food, personal time and fun.

Fireworks for the Festa del Redentore Venezia

14 Jul FESTA DEL REDENTORE – A FESTIVAL OF THANKSGIVING

Posted at 01:31h in Destinations, Travel Tips by Italian Tours

Fireworks and celebrations in the street, a thanksgiving mass and a flotilla of Venetian barges – no, this is not a celebration of Italy’s win in the 2021 Euro Cup this past week but something more ancient and arguably even more important.

This weekend Venetians will celebrate the Festa del Redentore, the Feast of the Redeemer, an annual event that gives thanks to the Madonna for the city’s redemption from the plague of 1575-1577.

This major plague decimated the population of Venice, with an estimated death toll of around 55,000 people, about a third of the city’s population. The brilliant Venetian painter Tiziano (Titian) was just one of those who died. Desperate for an end to his people’s suffering, Doge Alvise I Mocenigo promised the Madonna that he would build a church as an offering and make an annual thanksgiving if she would rid the city of the disease.

The doge’s prayer was answered and the city delivered from the plague. The Renaissance architect Andrea Palladio was promptly commissioned to build Il Redentore as a votive offering on the island of Giudecca across the lagoon from the main island. Every year since, on the third weekend of July, Venice has honoured the doge’s promise, with Venetians and visitors alike gathering to celebrate the end of the pestilence.

Main image (above) by Marco Chilese on Unsplash

The Chiesa del Redentore on Giudecca
Image by Luukas, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Those who have spent time in Venice may be familiar with the vaporetto stop called Zattere, where you board the vaporetto that will take you across to Giudecca. Zattere literally means ‘pontoon’ and it refers to the pontoon bridge that was set up for the grateful inhabitants to walk across from the main island to visit Il Redentore. The bridge is erected every year and its official opening signals the beginning of the festival, which goes on to celebrate the city’s deliverance with a huge fireworks display, a regatta of traditional boats along the Giudecca canal and a holy mass at Il Redentore.

Venetians have maintained this important annual festival for over 400 years with a single exception: ironically the event was cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid19 epidemic. We join with all Italians in welcoming the return of the Festa del Redentore this year in anticipation of a brighter future in the months to come.

The pontoon bridge linking Zattere and Giudecca
Image byAisano, CC BY-SA 4.0 and found on Wikimedia Commons

Veneto Tag