VILLAGES AND CASTLES, LADIES AND KNIGHTS

For this itinerary, we recommend 3 charming walled towns: Asolo, San Zenone degli Ezzelini and Marostica, with a short stop in Possagno to enjoy the genius of the neo-classic sculptor Canova.

Asolo is one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, appreciated by intellectuals, artists, Italians, foreigners, gourmets, walkers and cyclists, among others.
Whether you walk up to the Rocca (ancient fortress) or stay in its beautiful centre, you can find harmony and beauty all around, as well as enchanting views.
You can admire shop windows and charming villas, or stop at one of the many bars to enjoy a drink, and then head towards San Zenone degli Ezzelini.

The Castellaro di Sopracastello di San Zenone hill, now known as the Santuario della Madonna della Salute (Sanctuary of Our Lady of Health or the Chiesetta Rossa), is a place crammed with history and legends: here Alberico, the brother of Ezzelino III and the last heir to the Ezzelini dynasty, was horrendously massacred with all his family, including his nine young children.
The Ezzelini family is also mentioned in the Divine Comedy by Dante and in Dorian Grey by Oscar Wilde: with such good mentions, it is surely worth a visit!

Then you can proceed to Possagno, the birthplace of the sculptor Antonio Canova. There you
can visit the Tempio (temple), which rises majestically, the gypsotecque and the Museo Canova, partly designed by Carlo Scarpa. Situated next to the sculptor’s house, it hosts his precious plaster casts and other fine works.

Finally, you get to charming Marostica. Its well-preserved walls wind and climb up the hill, surrounding it in a beautiful embrace.
Every two years (even years, in September), the Piazza degli Scacchi becomes the protagonist of a human chess game.

The surrounding hills, crossed by minor roads, are ideal for short easy walks and enjoyable cycling trips on city or mountain bikes.

In all seasons of the year, those who enjoy taking photos will appreciate the landscape and its beautiful colours. These low hills widely overlook the plain and, behind them, the huge southern slope of Monte Grappa can be seen.

THINGS TO DO

Walk up to the Rocca in Asolo, where you can get beautiful views
Have a drink outdoors at one of the bars in Asolo
Make purchases at the shops in Asolo
Visit the old Torre del Castello degli Ezzelini, the ancient ruins and the cemetery
Visit the Tempio di Possagno and the beautiful gypsotecque
Admire the Piazza degli Scacchi in Marostica sitting outside one of the many cafes and imagining the square crowded with people for the chess game
Walk up the Strada dei Frati in Marostica as far as the Castello Superiore (upper castle), among olive trees

THINGS TO BUY