Discover what to do in Fonzaso in Province of Belluno: the hermitage of San Micel, the vintage car and motorbike gathering de na olta, the parish church of the Nativity of Mary. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Fonzaso located?
The municipality of Fonzaso borders to the north on Sovramonte, to the south on Seren del Grappa, to the east on Pedavena, Feltre and Seren del Grappa, and to the west on Lamon and Arsiè.
The hermitage of San Micel
How do you get to the hermitage of San Micel?
The starting point of the route leading to the hermitage of San Micel is Piazza Chiesa, at the parish church of the Nativity of Mary. As indicated by the sign near the bell tower of the place of worship, to reach the hermitage we leave the church façade behind us and head west for about one hundred metres, then turn right into Via Lucco. A charming wooden shrine marks the beginning of the path that winds along the side of Monte Avena.
With a difference in altitude of about one hundred metres, the trail winds its way among stone walls veiled in moss, shaded by the dense trees that cloak the slope of the mountain. At an altitude of 550 metres above sea level, a recess in the steep rocky face houses the white oratory of San Michele and the home of the keeper of the fire. In the past, the latter served as a lookout to check that no fires broke out below and, if necessary, to alert the population by ringing the bell placed at the top of the watch post.
On clear days, from the commanding perspective of the hilltop, the extraordinary panorama of the village below unfolds before your eyes, where the sharp tip of the bell tower of the church from which we set out stands out.
If you are wondering what to do in Fonzaso, the hermitage of San Micel is a must-see destination for anyone wishing to enjoy a peaceful walk while discovering one of the most important historical, cultural and landscape landmarks of the Lower Feltrino.
Vintage car and motorbike gathering de na olta
The 2024 edition of the vintage car and motorbike rally took place on 7 July in the main streets and squares of the village.
If you are wondering what to do in Fonzaso, the “raduno auto moto de na olta” is an unmissable event for motor enthusiasts keen to spend the summer in the setting of a charming town nestled between the slopes of Monte Avena and Monte Grappa.
On the occasion of this much-awaited event, the heart of Fonzaso hosts extraordinary Italian and international racing cars, from the Bentley 3 litre and the Lotus eleven, gems of British motoring, to the Alfa Romeo 1900 CSS and the Vernasca Silver Flag, to mention just some of the cars that took part in the tourist, non-competitive drive of the latest edition.
For more information about future editions of the event, you can visit the prolocofonzaso.it website and the Facebook page Pro Loco Fonzaso APS.
The parish church of the Nativity of Mary
Located in Piazza Chiesa, 2, the place of worship stands at the foot of the southern slope of Monte Avena, whose grand wooded mass rises above the historic centre of Fonzaso.
The medieval church stands out for a gabled façade facing west, vertically divided into three sections by four Ionic pilasters rising on high plinths. Slightly emerging from the line of the masonry, the pilasters support the entablature, frieze and pediment, at whose apex a metal cross stands out, while at the centre of the tympanum there is a circular opening.
On either side of the arched wooden portal, preceded by three steps, rises a pair of Ionic half-columns resting on a pedestal. Above the entrance, crowned by a triangular pediment, there is a plaque bearing the inscription “(“D.O.M and to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary”)”.
The bright single nave of the place of worship features six side niches containing fine altars in polychrome marble. Also noteworthy is the soaring bell tower, nearly eighty metres high, which rises beside the church.
