Discover what to do in Bovolenta: the Fiera Franca, the parish of Sant’Agostino, a bike ride along the Bacchiglione. Would you like to know more? First of all…
Where is Bovolenta?
The municipality of Bovolenta borders to the north with Polverara, to the southeast with Candiana, to the south and southwest with Terrassa Padovana, to the east with Brugine and Pontelongo, to the west with Casalserugo and Cartura.
The Fiera Franca of Santa Giustina
In 2022 the cheerful event took place from Friday 7th to Sunday 16th October at the sports field and Parco Salvo d’Acquisto.
A great opportunity for food lovers, the festival features large dining areas where you can enjoy tasty pork chops, ribs and sizzling sausages grilled to perfection, served with crispy fried potatoes, typical horse meat dishes and plates of bigoli with ragù to be savored with cold pints of beer and local wines. These are just some of the dishes you will find in the event’s rich menu.
On Via Risorgimento, the heart of the charming rural village comes alive with a vast and picturesque craft market, stalls and tasting points that enhance the vast food and wine heritage of the peninsula.
The event program includes dance evenings to the rhythm of country music, exhibitions of vintage and modern agricultural vehicles, archery demonstrations, charity raffles, rides and horseback parades.
For more information about the event, we recommend visiting the Facebook page Pro Loco di Bovolenta APS.
If you are wondering what to do in Bovolenta and want to spend the autumn season with live music, rivers of beer and delicious specialties to lick your whiskers, taking part in the ancient Fiera Franca might be just the thing for you!
The parish of Sant’Agostino
One of the most significant spiritual and historical landmarks of the town, the parish of Sant’Agostino rises in the heart of Bovolenta in Piazza Umberto I°.
The 12th-century church is distinguished by a white, sober, and unadorned façade marked by two pairs of pilasters, topped by an elegant triangular pediment surmounted by an elaborate metal cross. At the center of the tympanum stands a circular opening.
Illuminated by elegant lunette windows, the three naves are embellished with enchanting polychrome marble altars, a fine wooden pulpit, and the sculptures of two angels flanking the high altar, which is surmounted by a splendid golden canopy. Beside the church rises the original 13th-century bell tower, crowned by a soaring octagonal spire.
Bike ride along the banks of the Bacchiglione
Starting from the church of Sant’Agostino, head south to the intersection with Via Mazzini and turn right. After about 250 meters, cross the Bovolenta bridge on your left. From Piazza Accademia, keep right, pass the bank, turn left onto Via Macello. After 230 meters, cross the road and continue along Via Macello, keeping left, along the riverbank.
For 5.2 km, the route offers suggestive views of the rural landscape of Bovolenta, from endless cornfields and lush vineyards to the rich vegetation of silver willows, poplars, acacias, elms, ash trees, plane trees and dense formations of common reeds that grow luxuriantly along the banks of the Bacchiglione.
Just before the intersection with the provincial road, cross the pedestrian/cycle bridge on your left, then turn left and follow the right bank passing through the localities of Cagnola, Gazzo and Gorgo until you reach the bridge on SP 35, cross it, then turn right onto Via Macello. At this point, you can go back to return to the church of Sant’Agostino.
If you are wondering what to do in Bovolenta, this short itinerary is ideal for those who want to venture into the serene river landscape of a charming village nestled in the heart of the Padua area.
