How do you imagine the longest staircase in Italy? Well, Calà del Sasso in Veneto is exactly that—the longest and among the most evocative. A destination not only for those who love walking but also for the curious and for those who want to stretch their legs a bit.
Calà del Sasso: where it is located
The Calà del Sasso boasts exactly 4,444 stone steps built centuries ago to facilitate the transport of wood from Sasso di Asiago to Valstagna.
The starting point of Calà del Sasso is at coordinates 45.86809694343213, 11.635009535454802. To reach Sasso di Asiago, you need to follow the SP72 towards Bassano del Grappa. After crossing Campomezzavia, continue for about 1 km and then turn left. After about 3.5 km, you will find signage indicating the beginning of the village. Turn right and you will find parking a short distance away.
The legend of Calà del Sasso
The Calà del Sasso, like many other national places and monuments, is the protagonist of a love legend. It is said that two young lovers, Loretta and Nicolò were about to get married, but something went wrong. Pregnant with their first child, Loretta became very ill and Nicolò set out to find a magic ointment that could cure her.
The young man wanted to go to Padua and took the Calà del Sasso, but by delaying, he alarmed the local population, who decided to search for him late at night. The inhabitants met the young man returning escorted by two brave men and with the magic ointment; Loretta was healed thanks to it, and the wedding between the two lovers was soon celebrated.
Every second Sunday of August, the night sky is dotted with flames of bright torches to keep the memory of the ancient folk myth alive, creating an atmosphere that is at once mystical, festive, and engaging. Music and feasts welcome the participants to celebrate the romantic legend.
When to walk the staircase
The Calà del Sasso staircase can be walked all year round, but in the winter months you should be careful of its slipperiness due to snow and ice. The route is marked by waymark no. 778 and starts from the Lebo parking lot in Valstagna; it ends at the Chiesa di Asiago
