10 Villages in the Veneto Hills You Absolutely Must Visit

The small villages of the Veneto hills that you absolutely must know about.

What are the villages in the hills of Veneto to discover?

The Veneto region is one of the regions of Italy that boasts a variety of wonderful natural landscapes that blend beautifully with art and history.

Its territory is characterized by the presence of the majestic Dolomites in the northeast that transition into gentle hills, descending into the Po Valley and ending with the magnificent Adriatic coast.

Thanks to this variety of landscapes, Veneto is the ideal land for a vacation in contact with nature.

Aside from the undeniable beauty of the world-renowned Dolomites, let's explore the hilly beauties of this land with its terraced vineyards from which the famous Prosecco originates, its charming villages where you can stroll and taste typical culinary specialties, the lakes, the beautiful Parks, and the famous Thermal Baths.

Asolo, described by Giosuè Carducci as "the city of a hundred horizons," is perhaps the most beautiful village of the Veneto hills. Located in the province of Treviso, it is a beautiful fortified village rich in art, culture, and history.

The historic center features elegant ancient buildings characterized by porticos and beautiful villas that were home to famous personalities, such as Eleonora Duse and Freya Madaleine, who chose to live in this wonderful place.

On Piazza Maggiore, the main square of the village, stand the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the City Museum, along with a fountain dating back to the 16th century. Don't miss the Castle, also known as Palazzo Pretorio, the residence of Queen Caterina Cornaro of Cyprus, whose origins date back to Roman times.

An icon of the village is the Rocca, a military fortification located atop Monte Ricco from which one can enjoy a unique panorama.

Campo di Brenzone is a tiny village on the Lake Garda immersed in the Gardesan hills, timeless and tranquil.

It is an almost uninhabited village accessible only on foot via various trails that offer views of wonderful scenery.

Among the small houses, some of which are almost in ruins, stands the church of San Pietro in Vincoli, which houses a true treasure: the magnificent frescoes by Giorgio Da Riva, restored in the late nineties.

READ: VILLAGES ON LAKE GARDA

The village is really tiny and home to about ten people, but in August, during the San Lorenzo event, it comes alive with music and tourists lying in the green fields listening to various artists performing on stage among ancient olive trees.

During this occasion, the village is illuminated with colored lights that make the atmosphere even more magical.

Arquà Petrarca is named after the great poet Francesco Petrarca, who chose it as his home in the last years of his life.

It is a village in the Euganean Hills in the province of Padua, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, featuring light stone houses situated among small cobblestone streets winding through arches and alleys rich in shops, bars, and restaurants.

The town develops vertically with staircases and ascents that become suggestive viewpoints of scenic vistas and hilly panoramas. In the small square, in front of the ancient Church of Santa Maria Assunta, lies Petrarca's tomb, and at the upper part is his former residence, which has now become a museum.

Not to be missed are the oratory of the Blessed Trinity, the Petrarca fountain, and the monument dedicated to the Alpini, accessed by a staircase of 114 steps.

Caltrano, in the province of Vicenza, is a characteristic location in the foothills of Veneto.

Its origins are very ancient; in fact, remains have been found that date back to prehistoric times through the Roman Empire. The historic center is dominated by a tall bell tower and the parish church, built on the ruins of an ancient parish church, overlooking the village square.

The village is famous for an ancient Roman bridge, rebuilt several times, which played a strategic role during World War I.

The municipality of Caltrano has several fractions and districts, including Camisino, Campora, Maglio, San Donà, Castellàn, Valle, and Tezza, where every year in May, "The March of the Districts" takes place, a naturalistic and gastronomic itinerary organized by the local ProLoco.

The town still retains its rural appearance with small narrow streets and ancient mule tracks leading into the mountains that once served shepherds during the transhumance period. Besides the square, many churches can be visited, including the Chapel of San Giorgio located on the road leading to the plateau of the Seven Municipalities, considered one of the oldest in the Alto Vicentino.

San Giorgio in Valpolicella is a village not far from Verona that has been part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy since 2015.

The village is entirely built of white stone and sits on a hill; in the past, it could only be reached by a long, strenuous path, although it always seems very close from below. For this reason, the village was nicknamed

ingannapoltron

"(deceives the lazy person). The center of the village features a square that appears to be suspended and offers a unique panorama stretching from Verona to the Lake Garda. The Romanesque-style Pieve di San Giorgio, dating back to 1200, is also worth a visit.

READ ALSO: THE VILLAGES OF VALPOLICELLA

Soave is a beautiful medieval village just 20 kilometers from Verona, enclosed within high, imposing walls. The origins of the village are very ancient, and within its walls, one can still breathe the atmosphere of the past.

The main attraction of the village is the Scaligero Castle, whose origins date back to the 10th century: a mighty military fortress that dominates the town from the top of Monte Tenda.

Also of considerable interest is the Palazzo di Giustizia, dating back to the 14th century, which still hosts some offices of the Verona Court, the Zanella Park, a green lung of the town, and the 18th-century Cathedral of San Lorenzo Martire, which is built on the remains of an even older church. Soave is well-known for the wine produced here, celebrated in some writings by the poet D'Annunzio.

Colognola ai Colli in the province of Verona is a "spread-out" municipality made up of several fractions (Monte, Pieve, San Vittore, San Zeno, Strà, and Villa or Pian) that boasts very ancient origins.

In fact, remains of a Roman villa, fragments of inscriptions, tombs, shards, and much more have been found on its territory. The historic center is very characteristic and offers a wonderful panoramic view.

A must-visit is the Church of Santa Maria del Pieve, whose Romanesque bell tower towers above the entire town. The church, which has undergone many restorations, has very ancient origins, and many frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries have been uncovered in recent restorations. It is also worth exploring the various districts, each of which presents interesting characteristics and peculiarities.

DISCOVER: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN VENETO

Marostica is an ancient medieval village rich in history and culture, as well as natural beauty.

Enclosed by ancient walls, the village retains the charm of bygone times among shops and eateries where time seems to have stood still.

The town is known worldwide for the living chess game with characters in period costumes that takes place every two years in the Piazza degli Scacchi. The square is surrounded by ancient and elegant buildings that encircle it, including the historic Palazzo Doglione, the old chancellery that now houses the civic library, and the Lower Castle.

Another unique aspect of the place is the presence of two castles: the Lower Castle, dating back to the 1300s, and the Upper Castle from Roman times, located on the highest part of the Pausolino hill (of which only remnants remain). The two forts are connected by a 1800-meter-long enclosing wall.

Valdobbiadene is a town in the province of Treviso that boasts ancient origins and has become known in modern times for prosecco production.

Fossils discovered in these areas suggest very distant human settlements, but the first documented references date back to the Roman era.

The town features a beautiful historic center, with the bustling heart located in Piazza Marconi, crowned by the beautiful Bell Tower, where elegant historic buildings stand, including the Town Hall and the exquisite Endymion Fountain. In the center, don't miss the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Villa dei Cedri park, and the small church of San Floriano nestled in the greenery of the vineyards.

Vidor is a small municipality in the province of Treviso that existed as early as Roman times (in its territory, a necropolis dating back to the 4th century was discovered in the 1990s).

In the Middle Ages, the village had strategic importance as a road junction and river port on the Piave. The castle from that time, built to defend the territory, was destroyed in the 16th century. Vidor was heavily damaged in the bombings of World War I and, unfortunately, lost a large part of its artistic heritage.

Thanks to its privileged position, Vidor offers many walking routes immersed in greenery, among the Prosecco hills.

During excursions, visitors can see the castle reconstructed in the post-war period on the remains of the old fortress, now a monument to the fallen and ossuary; the Abbey of Santa Bona, its churches, and the historic buildings that marked important moments in the life of the municipality.