Discover what to do in Sandrigo (VI): the baccalà festival, the church of Saints Philip and James, Parco Tremila. Do you want to know more? First of all…
Where is Sandrigo located?
The municipality of Sandrigo borders to the north-east with Schiavon, to the north-west with Breganze, to the south-east with Bolzano Vicentino, to the south-west with Monticello Conte Otto, to the east with Pozzoleone and Bressanvido, to the west with Montecchio Precalcino and Dueville.
The baccalà festival
An unmissable event for lovers of fish specialties, the baccalà festival takes place every year in the second half of September. The 2022 edition was held from September 15 to 26.
A delicious recipe based on stockfish, the renowned bacalà alla vicentina is both a distinctive element of Sandrigo's gastronomy and a bridge that unites Veneto culture with Norwegian culture, enhancing both.
A green grassy expanse emerging from the cold depths of the Norwegian Sea off the Lofoten archipelago, the island of Røst is famous for fishing Arctic cod, an ancient tradition that links the splendid island, from whose jagged coasts you can glimpse the harsh profiles of rocky ridges fading on the horizon, to the sunny rural municipality nestled in the heart of the Vicenza area.
During the annual event, the streets of the historic center come alive with lively tasting spots and dining areas where you can savor typical dishes based on the exquisite stick fish in its various forms, from risottos and bigoli to gnocchi, ravioli, and baccalà meatballs. The undisputed star of the event is undoubtedly bacalà alla vicentina, but how is this tasty recipe prepared?
After beating and leaving the stockfish to soak for two or three days, proceed to remove the tail, skin, back bones, then open the fish and remove the internal bones.
Slowly fry the onion over very low heat, then add the sardines, previously cleaned of bones and salt (do not wash them in water) and let them dissolve.
Salt, pepper, and flour the fish, then sprinkle the fish with the onion and dust with a little Parmesan and parsley.
At this point, close the fish, cut it into slices, flour them, and place them in the pan. Pour the oil and fresh milk into the pan until the stick fish is completely covered.
Baccalà alla vicentina must cook very slowly, in dialect it's called 'pipare', for about four hours, until the stockfish turns white and the oil is well separated from the milk. To complete the traditional dish are the indispensable and tasty steaming slices of polenta.
If you are wondering what to do in Sandrigo, during the exciting fair, Piazza Garibaldi is pervaded by a cheerful and dynamic atmosphere made of colorful flag-waver parades, live music shows, medieval fencing, and breathtaking equestrian exhibitions, as well as interesting meetings with the stockfish brotherhood to discover in detail the ancient food and wine heritage of the area.
The church of Saints Philip and James
Accessible via an elegant staircase, the majestic place of worship is one of the most significant architectural monuments in the municipality. Overlooking the vast paved area of Piazza Garibaldi, the white bulk of the church features an elaborate facade marked by two composite-order semi-columns, above which rest the architrave and denticulated cornice.
Completing the vertical development of the facade is a refined curved crowning framed by pilasters flanked by volutes and culminating in a triangular pediment.
The massive arched wooden door is surmounted by a denticulated pediment and flanked by statues of the patron saints placed in semicircular niches.
From the intersection of the nave and transept rises the large dark dome, resting on a drum lined with twelve windows and topped by a precious lantern.
Parco Tremila
If you are wondering what to do in Sandrigo and are looking for a quiet place to do outdoor physical activity, Parco Tremila consists of a large wooded green area that extends near the Arena sports field.
For fitness enthusiasts, the grassy expanse dotted with cedars and cypress poplars includes a calisthenics gym that will allow you to perform a wide range of exercises to tone and strengthen your muscles.
