Discover what to do in San Vito di Leguzzano (VI): the Sagra del Scopeton, the nature trail, the church of Saints Vito, Modesto, and Crescenzia. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is San Vito di Leguzzano?
The municipality of San Vito di Leguzzano borders Schio to the north, Malo to the southeast, Monte di Malo to the southwest, Marano Vicentino to the east, and Schio and Monte di Malo to the west.
The Sagra del Scopeton
The Sagra del Scopeton is held every year in the first half of October to celebrate one of the most characteristic and appreciated specialties of San Vito’s gastronomy.
Often confused with herring, scopeton is the dialect name for Atlantic sardine, a delicious type of fish that has been part of Veneto cuisine for centuries, especially common among the lower social classes.
The preparation of this tasty fish specialty, generally preserved in salt, involves carefully removing the thin, almost transparent bones that remain embedded in the white flesh even after removing the backbone. The little fish is then opened, drizzled with olive oil, and placed on the grill. As soon as it begins to sizzle over the bed of embers, the aroma spreads through the kitchen and the large dining areas packed with hungry diners.
Completing the dish is a drizzle of olive oil, an unmistakable Mediterranean touch, and slices of steaming yellow polenta marked with the blackened parallel lines of grilling, giving it an even more appetizing and inviting appearance.
In addition to the irresistible seafood menu, the event includes peaceful and exciting walks to discover the most significant natural and cultural sites in the area.
If you’re wondering what to do in San Vito di Leguzzano and can’t resist rich, indulgent fish dishes paired with top-quality wines, attending the Sagra del Scopeton will certainly be right up your alley!
The nature trail
The starting point of the itinerary is the large parking lot on Via Caduti di Malga Zonta. From the parking lot, proceed south to the intersection of Via S. Rocco and Via S. Girolamo. At the intersection, turn right and proceed along Via S. Rocco for about 80 meters, then keep right on Via Merlaro. Proceed along Via Merlaro for 400 meters keeping left, then turn right onto the unpaved road that follows the course of the Refosco stream, along whose banks grow lush hedges.
Arriving at Via Pianezza, take the paved road keeping left, cross the stream and keep right. Continue southwest for about a kilometer and a half along Via Merlaro and Via Molini in the shade of flourishing acacias surrounded by endless cornfields and vast grassy expanses.
The paved road becomes narrower and winding; pass two rural farmhouses and follow the path that enters the dense forest until you hear the increasingly loud sound of a small waterfall gushing among ferns, ivy-covered trunks, broken branches, and moss-veiled rocks.
Continue the walk and pass Valle dell’asino, Valle Conta and Valle Gambaro until you reach the highest point of the walk, after which the trail winds northeast. Follow the winding stream that leads to a charming clearing, then re-enter the primordial environment of the dense tree and shrub cover. In addition to the dirt path sheltered by thick canopies, human intervention is revealed by a convenient wooden walkway that crosses the river.
The forest vegetation thins out, giving way to spectacular panoramic views of sunlit hills from which the church of San Valentino Martire can be seen perched on the top of a hill dotted with olive trees.
The walk proceeds through Valle dell’orco, where you can admire the most impressive waterfall of the hike, and leads to a small rural village where there is a beautiful quadrangular stone fountain.
Follow the signs for Valle Bisele, cross a group of rustic houses in Leguzzano and immerse yourself in the fairy-tale wooded scenery of Valle Nogara from which you can reach high peaks that offer breathtaking landscape views of the surrounding countryside.
Unless there are prohibitions, you can proceed along the itinerary until you reach the Agané nature park, an uncontaminated oasis that stretches along the shores of a splendid body of water.
If you’re wondering what to do in San Vito di Leguzzano and you are passionate about hiking, venturing into this lush biodiversity heritage is certainly a recommended experience!
The parish church of San Vito di Leguzzano
Perched on top of a green hill dotted with fir trees, laurels, apple trees and other fruit trees at Via Chiesa, 17, the parish church of San Vito is accessible via a white staircase leading to an elegant square adorned with elaborate geometric designs and surrounded by a refined parapet.
Partly hidden by the prickly fronds of a majestic Atlas cedar, the church façade is punctuated by four powerful pilasters supporting an architrave, frieze, and dentilled pediment crowned by three sculptures.
Another element of architectural value is the soaring octagonal bell tower with round-arched single-lancet windows set along four of the eight sides of the shaft. At the bell chamber, sixteen arches open on two levels separated by dentilled cornices. On the lower level, the arches are framed by half-columns; on the upper level, they are surmounted by triangular pediments.
