Discover what to do in Malo (VI): The Molina di Malo festival, the small church of San Valentino, the military road of Monte Pian. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Malo?
The municipality of Malo borders to the north with Marano Vicentino, to the north east with Thiene, to the north west with San Vito di Leguzzano, to the south with Castelgomberto, to the south east with Isola Vicentina, to the south west with Cornedo Vicentino, to the east with Thiene, Villaverla and Isola Vicentina, to the west with San Vito di Leguzzano, Monte di Malo and Cornedo Vicentino.
The Molina di Malo festival
The Molina festival takes place every year in the first half of September. The 2022 edition was held on September 9, 10 and 11 at Via dell’industria, 4.
From the well-aligned grills on the glowing embers, the aroma of sizzling meat spreads through the neon-lit dining areas from which the echo of the cheerful chatter of hungry diners comes.
The protagonists of the rich menu will be luganega, a tasty spiced pork sausage similar to sausage, delicious grilled quail, even more exquisite when seasoned with olive oil, thyme and rosemary, and tagliatelle with quail ragù.
To accompany the indulgent courses you will find slices of steaming yellow polenta with the characteristic blackened parallel lines of griddle cooking, crispy french fries and sauerkraut, a tasty Teutonic recipe that consists of cutting cabbage into thin strips, mixing it with about 2% salt and letting it ferment for two to four weeks.
The military road of Monte Pian and the small church of San Valentino
The trail accompanies the visitor to discover splendid natural locations crossed by military roads built during one of the most significant phases of the First World War fought between May 15 and July 27, 1916: the Battle of the Altipiani.
More commonly known as the Punitive Expedition, the military operation planned by Chief of Staff Franz Conrad aimed to penetrate the Italian strongholds of Valdastico and Vallarsa, conquer Thiene, and from there head to Vicenza.
In anticipation of the possible spread of Austro-Hungarian troops in the Vicenza area, a defensive line had been built that extended from Passo di Campogrosso to the provincial capital, crossing the Valleys of Agno and Leogra.
Corresponding to the municipality of Malo, part of the complex military road system runs along the wooded reliefs of Monte Piano, Monte Pulgo and Cereda.
To reach the summit of Pulgo, the recommended itinerary starts from the sanctuary of Santa Maria Liberatrice. Proceed southeast, downhill, along Via Guglielmo Marconi among plum trees and tall cypresses. At the intersection with Via del Colle, proceed southwest along Via Castello for 1.6 km. Once you reach Contrà Lapi, proceed along Via Montepian for 1.7 km keeping to the right.
From this uphill stretch of road you will enjoy suggestive views of the hills covered with dense forest formations, vast grassy expanses and cultivated fields framed by long rows of willows.
Arriving at a rustic building surrounded by fir trees, walnut trees and cedars, you can reach, turning left, the small church of San Valentino, a charming place of worship distinguished by a gabled facade and a bell tower with a conical spire.
Proceeding north, Via Montepian will take you after just over 1 km to the summit of Monte Piano, from which rises a metal and concrete cross carrying along the vertical arm a series of photovoltaic panels that allow its night lighting.
The effort of the hike is rewarded by the spectacular scenery of the valley below and the urban panorama of Malo similar to a mosaic of houses, cultivated fields and lush hedges delimited on the horizon by the colossal bulk of the pre-Alpine peaks.
If you are wondering what to do in Malo and wish to immerse yourself in the uncontaminated and silent arboreal and shrubby heritage that grows lush on the top of enchanting hills steeped in history, visiting the military road of Monte Pian might be just the thing for you!
