Discover things to do in Montebello Vicentino: the green trail, the Castle of the Maltraverso, the Church of San Daniele. Do you want to know more? First of all…
Where is Montebello Vicentino?
The municipality of Montebello Vicentino borders to the north with Zermeghedo, to the northeast with Montecchio Maggiore, to the northwest with Montorso Vicentino, to the southeast with Sarego, to the southwest with Lonigo and Gambellara, to the east with Montecchio Maggiore, Brendola and Sarego, to the west with Roncà and Gambellara.
The green trail
With a length of 9.5 km, the green trail is the shortest of the three routes that wind through the territories of Montebello, Zermeghedo, and Gambellara. The starting point of the itinerary is Piazza Italia, 1. You will find yourself in front of the town hall. Proceed east on Via XXIV Maggio for about 270 meters, then turn right and follow the trail that runs for 3.3 km between the grassy banks of the Chiampo stream and vast expanses of flourishing vineyards.
At the intersection with Provincial Road 22, turn right. After 85 meters, take Via Trieste to your right and follow the road leading to the picturesque hamlet of Mason, a locality of Gambellara. Keep left and, after passing a small group of rural houses, continue along the dirt path from which you can enjoy a wide view of sinuous sun-drenched slopes that disappear into the horizon.
The trail leads to an obelisk heralded in the distance by four dark and towering cypress trees. The monument commemorates the clash between soldiers of the Republic of San Marco and Austrian troops at the bridge over the Chiampo. The clash ended in an Austrian victory.
Upon reaching Via Monte Sorio, keep right and descend to Località Monte Sorio, then turn left to Località Brusegala. After 350 meters, turn right and continue for 650 meters east.
At the intersection, turn left and proceed north along Contrada Selva for 550 meters, then take the road to your right that winds up the side of the hill. At the intersection with Via Pegnare, keep left and continue in the shade of a dense thicket of bamboo canes.
Continue along Via S. Francesco, overshadowed by the grandiose mass of the Castle of the Maltraverso, after which, passing through Via Castello, you return to Piazza Italia.
If you are wondering what to do in Montebello Vicentino and wish to immerse yourself in the tranquil rural landscape of Montebello, crossed by streams that lap at silvery olive groves with pale gnarled trunks, vast cornfields and lush rows of vineyards that follow the slopes of rounded hills surrounding a majestic medieval castle, walking the green, blue, and red trails of this charming municipality bordering the Veronese area might be just right for you!
The Castle of Montebello
The formidable fortress towers on top of a hill from which you can admire, besides the historic heart of the town, the fertile plain crossed by the Guà and Chiampo rivers.
Built presumably between the 9th and 11th centuries on the remains of earlier Roman-era structures, the ancient manor was built to defend Vicenza from Scaliger incursions.
From the high Ghibelline walls rise the mighty mass of a tower finished with a gabled roof (the oldest structure in the architectural complex), and the tower from the mid-19th century crowned by a terrace supported by corbels.
Originally belonging to the Maltraverso, the property was conquered in the 14th century by the noble Veronese lineage who undertook its renovation and expansion. Following the domination of the Milanese Visconti family, the fortress came under the rule of the Republic of Venice from the beginning of the 15th century.
The Little Church of San Daniele
Framed by the high walls of the castle next to a regal centuries-old stone pine, the Church of San Daniele was built in the 13th century at the behest of the Maltraverso family.
The charming stone place of worship features a simple gabled façade crowned by three spires. Accessible via a massive wooden portal, the church houses an elaborate polychrome marble altar illuminated by two single-lancet windows on the south side and by an oculus that stands out at the center of the front.
If you are wondering what to do in Montebello Vicentino, the Church of San Daniele represents one of the most significant cultural and spiritual landmarks of the town.
