Discover what to do in Romano d’Ezzelino: the church of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin, the Torre Ezzelina, Valle Santa Felicita. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Romano d’Ezzelino?
The municipality of Romano d’Ezzelino borders to the northeast with Borso del Grappa, to the northwest with Pove del Grappa, to the south with Cassola, to the east with Borso del Grappa and Mussolente, to the west with Pove del Grappa, Bassano del Grappa and Cassola.
The archpriest church of the Purification of the Most Holy Virgin Mary
Located in Piazzale Chiesa, a vast area punctuated by holm oaks and pale olives set in cement, the church stands out for its imposing front divided into three sections by four semi-octagonal pillars. The central section, larger, is itself divided into three horizontal sectors: the top area, consisting of a large round arch bearing the eye of Providence in the center. The central one, where three niches supported by Corinthian columns hold the statue of the Madonna and Child flanked by sculptures of Saint Anthony and Blessed Luca Bellundi. The lower area where the massive door opens, decorated with quadrangular panels framed by pilasters on which the curved pediment stands out.
The interior of the church, a single large and bright nave, features elaborate marble altars, an elegant multi-century wooden choir and valuable paintings such as the frescoes depicting the Purification of the Virgin Mary and the Triumph of Christ created respectively on the ceiling of the central nave and the presbytery.
The Torre Ezzelina
One of the most representative monuments of the municipality, the Torre Ezzelina stands at the top of Col Bastia, a pleasant and green hill dotted with cypresses, cedars, poplars, willows and olives also known as Colle Dante in reference to the verses that the supreme poet dedicated to these lands in Canto IX of Paradise (v. 25):
In quella parte della terra prava
Italica, che siede intra Rialto
e le fontane di Brenta e di Piava
si leva un Colle e non surge molt’alto
là onde scese già una facella
che fece alla contrada un grande assalto
The elegant bell tower was built in the first half of the 19th century to keep alive the memory of the grand medieval fortress of the da Romano family which centuries ago dominated the enchanting hill located between the boundless hilly landscape of the Vicenza area and the steep slopes of the Grappa massif.
How to reach the Torre Ezzelina?
To reach the towering structure crowned with Ghibelline battlements, leave the apse of the church of the Purification of the Most Holy Virgin behind you, cross the pedestrian crossing on Via Alcide de Gasperi in front of two majestic Atlas cedars, cross the zebra crossing to your left and proceed along the sidewalk for about thirty meters until you find on your right the beginning of the dirt path marked by an explanatory panel.
The pleasant nature walk winds slightly uphill through dense tree and shrub vegetation, flanking Col Molin dotted with olive trees, cypresses and cypress poplars surrounding a large iron cross.
After passing two houses with two large gardens, the Graziano Marin path leads to Via Castello. Turn right and proceed along Via Castello for about 50 meters, then keep right, continue uphill passing by a large three-story white house and delve again into the lush woodland following the signs that will lead you to the monumental cemetery and the fascinating 19th-century tower that dominates the top of the hill.
Valle Santa Felicita
The starting point to explore the Valle Santa Felicita, an ideal destination for hiking enthusiasts, is the large dirt area bordered by rocks at the hotel restaurant dalla Mena in Via Valle S. Felicita, 14, 36060 Romano D’Ezzelino (VI).
From the parking lot, head north along the flat path that leads to the Sacello di Santa Felicita and the Madonna del Buon Consiglio, a charming octagonal chapel standing on a stone block base and accessible via a staircase leading to the porch supported by Doric columns.
Past the shrine, follow the signs for path 180 which goes into the steep slopes covered with a dense tree cover. Entering the thick tangle of branches and foliage, the route becomes narrower and more evocative until it leads to spectacular open-air climbing gyms ideal for rock climbing immersed in nature.
Continuing north, the peaceful walk wedged between the overhanging cliffs becomes clearer and clearer the crackling of a white waterfall that bursts from the steep slopes and plunges into a crystal clear lake revealing the stone bottom.
If you are wondering what to do in Romano D’Ezzelino and want to discover romantic and historically significant architectural works that harmoniously integrate into a lush environment alternating gentle hills with solemn and rugged mountain scenery, a visit to this splendid municipality in the Vicenza area will be an unforgettable experience!
