Holiday Apartment in Villaga: Hills, History and Wine

Villaga combines open landscapes with a remarkable concentration of historic sites. Open farmland, vineyards and the forests of Monte Tondo shape the landscape; at the same time, paths lead to viewpoints, religious buildings and traces of earlier use. When choosing a holiday apartment in Villaga, you can therefore decide according to the kind of holiday you want: more hills and walking trails, more cultural history, or a combination with regional wine.

Holiday apartment in Villaga between vineyards and Monte Tondo

The Calto Valley preserves the atmosphere of an unspoilt place with mills and has been closely connected with the use of water for centuries. The Grotte di San Donato are located almost at the summit of the 415-metre-high Monte Tondo. Together with fields, vineyards and forests, they create a landscape that is not limited to a single type of natural environment.

Paths with views and a historical background

The path to the Eremo di San Donato offers views of the valley below and the Euganean Hills. The hermitage lies at an elevation of 300 metres on a rock face with large natural cavities near a spring and has been documented since 1243. In 1283, a Benedictine convent was added to it. The Alta Via dei Berici runs through the western part of the Pozzolo plateau in Villaga; Stage 22 leads from San Donato di Villaga to Valle Verde di Pozzolo. For cyclists, the regional E7 Riviera Berica cycle route runs through Villaga along the former route of the FTV railway and tram line.

The Tourist Path of Calto Valley comes with an important restriction: the complete circular route is currently unavailable. From the Bampo fountain, the path cannot be continued through the forest on the eastern slope to Via Gervasi. This information should be taken into account when planning your day before scheduling this path as a complete loop.

Churches, villas and traces of history

Villaga's historical side can be seen in several religious buildings. The earliest known mention of the parish of San Michele Arcangelo dates from 1187. The dedication to the Archangel Michael in Villaga is considered a possible indication of Lombard origins. San Giorgio in Toara probably began as a chapel within the parish or parish district of Barbarano and later developed into a parish church. The oldest document in which the church of San Giorgio in Toara appears is dated 10 October 1288; the present building dates from the early 18th century.

Villaga's villas also tell the story of changing eras. Villa Rasia-Dani is considered the oldest house in the municipality of Villaga. The walls of the right-hand part of the building date from the early 15th century, while the wooden portico and loggia were built between 1506 and 1509. Villa Palma-Bedeschi is also known as “La Commenda di San Silvestro” and passed from the Templars to the Knights Hospitaller and later to the Knights of Malta. Villa Barbarano bears the name “Il Castello di Belvedere”. The hills between San Donato and Monte Tondo are also home to First World War fortifications, trenches carved into the rock, short sections of tunnels, machine-gun positions and a stone blockhouse. The Colombara del Paradiso is usually known as “Castellaro”; its structure dates back to medieval defensive towers and is believed to have been used as an observation post.

Wine and regional impressions

The local character includes the Piovene Porto Godi winery in Toara di Villaga. It offers individuals and groups tours and tastings, including individually tailored tastings of different vintages or tastings accompanied by local products.

Further destinations for planning your own trip: Barbarano Vicentino, Rive Poleo, Zané, Valstagna, Villaverla, Campolongo Sul Brenta, Quinto Vicentino, Canova di Cereda.

For the overarching travel overview: Vicenza.