Discover what to do in Castegnero: the Festa dea Siaresa, the Church of San Michele Arcangelo, Trail 1 of Monte delle Rose. Do you want to know more? First of all…
Where is Castegnero?
The municipality of Castegnero borders north with Longare, northeast with Montegaldella, northwest with Arcugnano, south with Nanto, east with Montegaldella, west with Arcugnano.
The Festa dea Siaresa
In 2023, the Festa dea Siaresa will take place from May 26 to 28 and from June 2 to 4. The 2022 edition was held in Piazza Mercato, the social hub of the municipality surrounded by lively slopes adorned in spring with the lush pink crowns of cherry trees in bloom, a plant symbol of life and rebirth.
This traditional event will allow you to taste gastronomic specialties that enhance the sweet ruby-red fruit, from exquisite risottos and tortellini with cherry goat cheese to cherry braised fettuccine, delicious dishes that you can pair with local wine excellences and pints of craft beer.
For more information about the event, we recommend visiting the Facebook page “Festa dea Siaresa – Castegnero – VI”.
If you are wondering what to do in Castegnero and wish to spend the warm summer days in the rural setting surrounded by green hills of this splendid municipality in the Vicenza area, attending the Festa dea Siaresa might be just right for you!
The Church of San Michele Arcangelo
Located at Via Piazza Villaganzerla, 20, 36020 Villaganzerla (VI), the Church of San Michele Arcangelo stands out for a gabled façade rhythmically punctuated by white plastered bands alternating with exposed brick bands. Vertically tripartite, the front of the place of worship features a massive wooden portal surmounted by a round arch flanked by two single-lancet windows.
Above the door opens an elegant triple lancet window with round arches framed by a further arch with a blind oculus at the center and bordered by a decorated archivolt.
A refined motif of hanging arches follows the profile of the roof slopes, crowned by five spires.
Trail 1 of Monte delle Rose
The starting point of the recommended route is Piazza Mercato, where you can leave your car. Proceed northeast along Via Fontana Fozze until you find the ancient Trattoria al Sole on your left. Turn left into Via Pilastrini. Flanked by stone houses, the asphalt road gradually narrows until it gives way to a cobblestone path framed by hills dotted to the west with lush cherry trees, to the east with pale olive trees and majestic cypresses among whose dark crowns stands the bell tower of the Church of San Giorgio Martire, built on a panoramic square punctuated by cypresses and maritime pines from which you can admire a wide view of the boundless Castegnero countryside.
Leave the church behind and continue west along Via Villavecchia for 260 meters until you reach the fork between Via Chiesavecchia and Via Castellaro at a charming small shrine (45.44484585506384, 11.581767762772852).
Keep left and proceed along Via Chiesavecchia bordered by a low stone wall in the shade of silvery Arizona cypresses and tall oaks. After 170 meters, at the fork between Via Chiesavecchia and Via Fontecchio, go uphill along Via Fontecchio as indicated by the wooden sign of Trail 1, then follow the signs for the variant of Trail 1.
The effort of the hike is rewarded by spectacular views of radiant slopes dotted with olive groves and cultivated fields punctuated by rustic farmhouses that, from this perspective, resemble miniatures that slowly fade until they merge on the horizon with the grand mass, enveloped in a thin haze, of the Berici Hills.
After passing a large country house, take the winding dirt path that zigzags up the side of the hill for about 900 meters, then turn left onto Via Sermondi to reach the Oratory of the Santissima Trinità on the summit of Monte delle Rose. Continue walking northwest until you reach the Sermondi dairy, a producer of goat cheese.
Leave the farm to your left and continue along the white uphill road that flanks the dairy barns. After about 150 meters, keep right and follow the signs for the variant of Trail 1 and for the old rural house Ca’ Gaspari (Colombetto). After visiting the evocative ruin covered with tree and shrub vegetation, descend southeast. The dirt path leads to the asphalt road that leads to a series of houses nestled among brilliant wooded slopes.
Descend along Via Castellaro keeping right, as indicated by the sign for the variant of Trail 1, and immediately take the wooden steps on your right that go into the woods. The narrow path emerges onto a gravel road. Follow the signs for the restaurant Il Rovere, once reached, descend along Trail 1 on your left (45.449937200264706, 11.569557869076728). After 850 meters, Trail 1 crosses the itinerary you took on the outward journey.
If you are wondering what to do in Castegnero and want to enjoy breathtaking views, venturing into this charming municipality in the Vicenza area will be an unforgettable experience!
