Discover what to do in Arcole: the San Martino fair in Arcole, a bike ride in Arcole, the church of San Giorgio, Piazza Poggi. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Arcole?
The municipality of Arcole borders to the north with San Bonifacio, to the northeast with Lonigo, to the south with Veronella, to the east with Zimella, to the west with Belfiore.
The San Martino fair in Arcole
The 2023 edition of the San Martino fair was held from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 November in the Giovanni d’Arcole cultural center and in the splendid historic setting of Piazza Poggi.
A recommended occasion for food lovers, the fair includes a large and convenient dining area where you can enjoy tempting dishes that enhance local products. The undisputed star of the 2023 edition was the radicchio risotto. The event featured flower exhibitions, a medieval encampment with soldiers in shining armor, falconry shows, jester performances, and displays of ancient crafts.
What made the festival even more enjoyable was the exquisite millefoglie cake, handmade and served free of charge in Piazza Poggi.
If you are wondering what to do in Arcole, the San Martino fair is an ideal opportunity to spend time outdoors with live music, historical reenactments, dance evenings, and food and wine specialties in the pleasant rural setting of the Bassa Veronese.
For more information about the San Martino fair, we recommend visiting the Facebook page Comitato Ente Fiera Arcole.
Bike ride in Arcole
The starting point of the recommended cycling itinerary is the parking lot of the Napoleonic obelisk (45.357109044168496, 11.278120755614673). Cross the Arcole bridge to reach the Napoleonic obelisk, then turn right. The white path heads north, winding parallel to the Alpone stream. For about five km, the path enters the serene rural landscape of Arcole, marked by the regular succession of rows of vines. Upon reaching the Motta bridge, turn left.
After crossing the bridge, proceed for 120 meters, then keep right on Via Castello, skirting the fascinating ruins of the castle of San Bonifacio, enveloped by dense vegetation of elms, cedars of Lebanon, Atlas cedars, walnut trees, firs, plane trees, and other lush tall plants.
Past the remains of the ancient fortification, turn left onto Via Masetti. Head south in the Masetti area for about 5.6 km, entering the boundless countryside of the Bassa Veronese dotted with rustic farmhouses surrounded by lush vineyards, cornfields, and woods of poplars, willows, plane trees, and maples. After passing a charming rural house, the path climbs until it rejoins the bank of the Alpone stream. The route ends by heading north until returning to the Napoleonic obelisk.
The church of San Giorgio
Located at Via Abazzea, 14, the church of San Giorgio stands a few steps from the Napoleonic obelisk built to commemorate the French victory over the Austro-Hungarian troops in the Battle of Ponte Arcole, a clash that took place between 15 and 17 November 1796. The place of worship, of medieval origin, is distinguished by a solemn façade with a gable, vertically tripartite by four pilasters.
In front of the austere façade of the church, facing west, stands a statue depicting Saint George killing the dragon. From the site near which the parish of Arcole was built, the remains of Roman tombs and artifacts of Lombard origin have emerged.
Marked by Corinthian pilasters, the vast and bright single nave of the church of San Giorgio has six side chapels and is surmounted by a splendidly frescoed lunette pavilion vault.
Piazza Poggi
Studded with white statues and majestic maples and cedars, Piazza Poggi is bordered to the north by a spectacular arcaded barchessa marked by fifteen wide round arches. The arches are embellished by as many masks placed at the keystone. In the center of the park stands an elegant flagpole.
