Discover what to do in San Zeno di Montagna: the San Zeno DOP marrone festival, a hike in San Zeno di Montagna, and the church of San Zeno Vescovo. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is San Zeno di Montagna?
The municipality of San Zeno di Montagna borders Brenzone sul Garda to the north, Costermano sul Garda to the south, Ferrara di Monte Baldo and Caprino Veronese to the east, and Brenzone sul Garda and Torri del Benaco to the west.
The San Zeno DOP marrone festival
The 2023 edition of the San Zeno DOP marrone festival took place from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 5 November 2023 in Piazza Schena.
For the occasion, the urban center of San Zeno comes alive with craft markets and numerous stalls offering genuine local products, among which the exquisite chestnuts and renowned organic D.O.P. marroni stand out; in this enchanting municipality, just a short distance from the shores of Lake Garda, they find the ideal climate conditions to grow luxuriantly.
The lively event includes spacious dining areas where you can enjoy delicious recipes that showcase the area’s biodiversity, from chestnut minestrone and chestnut risotto to chestnut polenta with gorgonzola. From the various kiosks scattered through the heart of the village comes the inviting aroma of handmade chestnut sweets, to be paired with local wines, grappa and mulled wine.
In addition to the classic charity tombola, the event program features guided excursions to discover the fertile hills of San Zeno di Montagna, dotted with centuries-old chestnut groves.
If you are wondering what to do in San Zeno di Montagna, the San Zeno DOP marrone festival is an opportunity not to be missed to immerse yourself in the colors of the autumn season, let loose to the rhythm of live music performances, stroll through the lush countryside of the Verona area and savor delicious chestnuts cooked over wood in the setting of a delightful rural village harmoniously nestled between Lake Garda and the slopes of the Lessini mountains.
For more information about the food and wine event, you can visit the Facebook pages San Zeno di Montagna and Consorzio di Tutela del Marrone di San Zeno D.O.P.
Hike in San Zeno di Montagna
The starting point of the route is the parking area in Via del cimitero, 4 (45.631942539136354, 10.724662454452949). At the intersection with Via degli Alpini, turn right and continue for about 90 meters, then turn left onto Via Molina.
Proceed southeast for 2.6 km along Via Molina and Via Pineta Sperane in the shade of the lush vegetation of a forest dotted with cedars, firs, oaks, poplars, hornbeams and many other vigorous tall trees, then keep left onto Via Lumini. The winding paved road that leads to the village of the same name crosses gentle wooded slopes covered by vast grassy stretches crossed by white stone walls.
The next stop on the route is contrada Ca’ Longa, where you will find a splendid centuries-old chestnut grove. Continue north on Via Prà Cappello for about 1 km, then keep left onto Via Corrubio and continue along provincial road 9 until you reach contrada la Pora (45.645814740752456, 10.74148403658307), from whose privileged position there is an extraordinary view of Lake Garda.
Proceed southwest along Via Monte Baldo until you reach the panoramic viewpoint at the hairpin bend (45.64220504873858, 10.736448628900343), then keep right onto Via Monte Baldo. At the intersection, turn left onto Contrada Castello. Continue southwest for 2 km along Contrada Castello, Contrada Montagna, Contrada Ca’ Sartori and Viale degli Alpini until you reach Piazzale Risorgimento, then turn right onto Via del Cimitero to return to the starting point.
The church of San Zeno Vescovo
Located in Via degli Alpini, 1, the church of San Zeno stands on a hill facing Piazzale Risorgimento, a paved, shaded area with maritime pines from which you can admire Lake Garda and Monte Pizzocolo and Cima Comer. Topped by a gabled roof, the 18th-century façade of the place of worship is horizontally divided by a string course and adorned with four statues.
Built on a pre-existing 15th-century place of worship, the church is accessible through a massive wooden portal surmounted by a triangular pediment and is internally enriched by spectacular frescoes and altars in polychrome marble.
On the east side of the church rises an imposing stone bell tower capped by an elegant bulb-shaped spire.
If you are wondering what to do in San Zeno di Montagna, the church of San Zeno Vescovo is one of the municipality’s most significant spiritual, architectural and artistic landmarks.
