Discover what to do in Montecchio Precalcino: the festival of San Rocco, the festival of Levà, Villa Forni Cerato. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Montecchio Precalcino?
The municipality of Montecchio Precalcino borders to the north and west with Sarcedo, to the south with Dueville, to the southwest with Villaverla, to the east with Breganze and Sandrigo.
The festival of San Rocco
The commemoration of the passing of Saint Rocco, a pilgrim from the Kingdom of France who lived in the 14th century, takes place on August 16, although the celebration in honor of the healing saint also takes place on the days following this date. In 2022 the fair was held from August 19 to 22 in the hamlet of Preara.
The popular celebration reconciles the solemn liturgical functions with the cheerful and jovial atmosphere of the picturesque village festivals through the folkloric expression of song, dance, and typical recipes of a hearty cuisine handed down for generations, thus paying homage to the ancient bond, whose roots are lost in time, that unites the land to the human being, the result of knowledge based on respect for nature and animals that over the centuries have settled, shaping the characteristics of wisdom and humility that characterize the hardworking peasant culture.
Among the rich dishes you can savor in the vast dining areas, the menu includes tasty grilled chickens seasoned with potatoes, succulent greasy sandwiches overflowing with shredded pork, as well as ribs, sausages, and grilled chops whose aroma spreads among the long benches and well-aligned tables of the large tent structures from which comes the lively rumble of guests.
Despite being of Veronese origin, one of the event’s flagship dishes is the exquisite tastasale, a soft minced pork mixture, salted and peppered, with a bright pink color, particularly suitable for preparing sausages and risottos.
Ideal occasion to stimulate the appetite and have fun outdoors, the festival days also include zumba lessons, a gymnastic activity that involves doing exercises to music.
The warm summer evenings will liven up to the rhythm of exuberant Latin American dances. For the more romantic, there will be an orchestra for ballroom dancing, and for those who want to let loose on the dance floor, there will be rock shows and amazing DJ sets.
If you are wondering what to do in Montecchio Precalcino and are looking for an original idea to spend the summer carefree in the enchanting natural setting of a small village nestled in the hills of Vicenza, the festival of San Rocco might be just right for you!
The festival of Levà
The festival takes place at Via Leva 80, at the church of the Most Holy Redeemer of Levà.
The façade of the splendid neo-Gothic place of worship is adorned with statues of Saint Peter and Saint Michael the Archangel flanking a wooden door crowned by a pointed arch decorated with the image of Christ the Redeemer immersed in gold.
The 2022 edition took place from 16 to 18 and from 23 to 25 September.
On the cool late summer evenings, good eaters of all ages and from all over the region gather in front of large steel rotisseries, attracted by the rotating and almost hypnotic motion, similar to that of a carousel, of orderly rows of plump quails cooked on the crackling fire and shiny with olive oil, spreading among the diners the scents of sage and sizzling fat.
For those who wonder what to do in Montecchio Precalcino and want to discover the gastronomic identity of Montecchio among glasses of wine and exquisite recipes based on wild partridge, the festival of Levà is a highly recommended experience.
Villa Forni Cerato
Located at Via Venezia, 7, Villa Forni Cerato is one of the most significant historic buildings in the municipality and since 1996 has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. Set in a bright meadow that includes a cultivated orchard, the Palladian residence is surrounded by the spectacular undulating profile of the sunny and fertile hills of volcanic origin furrowed by dense and thick tree-lined hedges.
The sixteenth-century noble residence is laid out on three levels: the basement, the main floor, accessible via an elegant staircase, and the attic.
The dwelling is divided vertically into three sections, the central one, in a forward position relative to the side ones, is topped by a precious triangular pediment.
For more information about this gem of Renaissance architecture, it is recommended to visit the website villafornicerato.it
