Discover Sovizzo: Hills and Villas

Sovizzo combines hills rising to 200 metres with villas, the church of Sovizzo Colle and an archaeological complex from the Copper Age. The landscape, architectural history, cycle path, festival and regional cuisine reveal the different facets of the town.

Hills, Watercourses and the Spurghe

The hills of Sovizzo reach an elevation of 200 metres and consist predominantly of sedimentary limestone. This rock formed 40 to 20 million years ago in a marine environment, was subsequently uplifted and shaped by erosion. Wooded areas and broad clearings alternate across the hills. Moisture-loving plants grow on the cooler, damp slopes and in the valleys, while various warmth-loving species occur in more exposed locations. The Retrone rises in the east-draining plain of Sovizzo, after the Mezzarolo flows into the Onte and the Onte into the Valdiezza.

The Bissari-Curti and Curti Villas

In the centre of Sovizzo, Villa Bissari-Curti was built in the second half of the 16th century and later expanded, among other additions, with a scenographic theatre in the ancient style. Villa Curti has a 30,000-square-metre park with restored frescoes, historic statues made of Vicenza stone and an open-air amphitheatre containing two early Christian urns.

Church, Art and Archaeology in Sovizzo Colle

In Sovizzo Colle, the church was incorporated into a fortification built in the Middle Ages and destroyed in the 13th century. The church contains works of art from the 17th century as well as sculptures by Marinali. The megalithic funerary and ritual complex from the Copper Age has also been preserved on site. It is visible from outside as a permanent archaeological area.

Cycle Path, Nature Route and Regional Cuisine

Opened in 2018, the Sovizzo–Creazzo cycle path follows the course of the Retrone and offers a route for pedestrians and cycling enthusiasts. A route through Vigo and to the castles of Giulietta and Romeo leads to the Spurghe, passages enclosed by rocks in a wild and impressive natural landscape. On the first Sunday in October, the Feast of Madonna del Rosario is the community festival of Sovizzo Colle. It combines religious celebrations with leisure and culinary offerings, particularly the traditional Bìgoli co’ l’arna, a pasta dish with duck sauce. From September onwards, local bakeries, pizzerias, pastry shops, delicatessens and restaurants should be able to prepare and offer for tasting products and typical dishes made with spelt grown in Sovizzo.

The Different Facets of Sovizzo

The two villas and the church of Sovizzo Colle provide a focus on cultural history. The hills and the Spurghe represent the landscape; the Sovizzo–Creazzo cycle path follows the course of the Retrone. The local cuisine is represented by the community festival and the dishes made with locally grown spelt that may be available from September onwards.

Further destinations to include in your plans are Lovara, Arsiero, Solagna, Valstagna, Lonigo, Asiago, Costabissara and Montebello Vicentino.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vicenza.