Discover things to do in San Donà di Piave: the river park, the cycle path along the Piave, Piazza Indipendenza, the Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is San Donà di Piave?
The municipality of San Donà di Piave borders to the northeast with Cessalto and Ceggia, to the northwest with Salgareda (a visit to the fairy house, residence of writer Goffredo Parise, is recommended) and Noventa di Piave, to the southeast with Jesolo, to the southwest with Venice, to the east with Torre di Mosto and Eraclea, to the west with Noventa di Piave, Fossalta di Piave and Musile di Piave.
Bike ride in San Donà di Piave and Noventa di Piave
The river park of the Piave
The recommended bike ride starts from the public parking lot on Via Lungo Piave Inferiore (45.62600133236082, 12.563814313756781). From here, you access the river park of the Piave river, a charming green lung traversed by a suggestive network of white paths that wind under the dark canopies of black poplars, white poplars, tall cypress poplars, plane trees, and white willows lapped by the waters of the river sacred to the homeland, which here serpentines placid and cold, giving life and making fertile and lush the land once exhausted and battered by war.
After visiting the park, return to the parking lot (I advise against continuing southeast because Via Lungo Piave Inferiore is quite busy and has no bike lanes), cross the pedestrian crossing (45.626402162993955, 12.563568888255482) and follow the bike path that goes under Ponte della Vittoria.
Pass under Ponte della Vittoria, cross the pedestrian crossing to your left, then leave the Multisala Cristallo on your right and continue a few meters until you find, again on your right, a pleasant dirt road that follows the course of the Piave, entering the thick tree vegetation.
Panoramic path on the Piave
Follow the serene itinerary from which you can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the lush river environment that grows luxuriantly along the elegant and sinuous bends of the Piave. After 7.3 km (45.65089501550506, 12.517208608431504), cross the pedestrian crossing, turn right and follow the bike path on Via Cà Memo for 1.2 km, then turn right onto Via Eugenio Montale, continue to the roundabout, take the second exit and continue on Via Torquato Tasso for 700 meters.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie
At the intersection with Via Roma, turn right and continue straight along the bike path that follows Via Noventa and Via Giuseppe Garibaldi. After about 3.5 km, the transition from asphalt to cobblestone pavement signals the entrance to the historic heart of San Donà di Piave. At the roundabout, take the first exit and pass by Villa de Faveri.
Continue along Corso Silvio Trentin until you reach the Cathedral of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The grandiose place of worship stands out for its classical pronaos, punctuated by mighty fluted columns surmounted by Corinthian capitals, recognizable by their wide volutes and traditional acanthus leaves.
Piazza Indipendenza and the monument to Giannino Ancillotto
The massive columns support the architrave, the frieze, and the triangular dentilled pediment above which three anthropomorphic statues stand out.
A notable detail is the Latin inscription along the frieze: “Deo Optimo Maximo et B.ae V.i Mariae Gratiarum titulo dicatum”, meaning “dedicated to God the best and greatest and to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Graces”.
Inside, it has six semicircular niches containing as many altars in polychrome marbles; the Cathedral of San Donà di Piave is one of the most fascinating cultural and architectural attractions in the historic center.
Continue along Corso Trentin until you find, on your right, Piazza Indipendenza, a large paved area from which rises the monument in honor of Giannino Ancillotto, an officer and excellent aviator born in San Donà di Piave, distinguished for his skills in World War I.
The solemn commemorative work is distinguished by two white wings adorned with the profiles of six eagles and the base of a column in which the name of the young pilot, who died prematurely in a road accident, is engraved. The quadrangular perimeter of the square is bounded by splendid period buildings punctuated by wide round arches.
In this regard, the majestic municipal building stands out, rising three floors, with three arches with rusticated ashlars on the ground floor and topped by a dormer window with the clock face at the center.
Return to the starting point
To return to the starting point, follow the bike path along Corso Silvio Trentin, at the roundabout take the first exit, cross the pedestrian crossing and turn left, then follow the bike path until you reach the parking lot of the river park.
