Venice tends to draw all the attention to itself, but Veneto has so much to offer, it is made up of historic villages of equal interest, landscapes that are so picturesque they have inspired masterpieces of art, and authentic traditions that are unique to the region. About an hour's drive from the hu Venezia Camping in Town, there are four gems that encapsulate the spirit of the Veneto region: Montagnana, Portogruaro, Castelfranco Veneto and Bassano del Grappa.
Surprises of the Middle Ages
When imagining Veneto, imposing walls and castles are not the first thing that come to mind, yet Montagnana is one of the most beautiful walled cities in Italy, and its medieval charm captivates at first glance. Surrounded by perfectly preserved city walls that extend for almost 2 kilometres with 24 crenelated towers, Montagnana looks as though it has been plucked from a history book or even a fantasy novel. Take a stroll around the perimeter of its fortifications, dating back to the 13th century, to be transported to a time when ranks of knights came charging into battle. The unmissable Rocca degli Alberi, a majestic gateway into the city, and the Castello di San Zeno are typical and tell the story of this strategic town disputed for centuries by Padua, Venice and Verona. Delicious and unexpected, Montagnana also has its own gastronomic specialty: the Prosciutto Veneto DOP, a dry-cured ham with a subtle flavour, eclipsed by the more widely marketed hams from its neighbours Friuli and Emilia. Every year in September, the village celebrates this delicacy with the Palio of the 10 Districts, a historical re-enactment that combines a horse race, popular festival and a dramatic castle fire. If you are not in town for the festival on the last weekend of August, seek out a restaurant where you can enjoy slivers of the local ham, like the Mura where it can also be bought.
Watery enchantment
Portogruaro casts a spell with its charming waterways. Crossed by the River Lemene, this town offers picture postcard views, with romantic bridges, historic mills and quaint piazzas. Piazza della Repubblica is at the heart of Portogruaro and dominated by the Palazzo Municipale (town hall), a Gothic gem featuring elegant battlements with a local appeal.
The historic centre of town is punctuated by scenic watermills, a reminder of a past that blended work, nature and architecture. Portogruaro has more to offer than pretty vistas; it is also an important cultural centre. The Concordiese National Museum, houses a collection of Roman artefacts from the nearby Concordia Sagittaria, an ancient Roman colony. Any art and history enthusiasts will not be disappointed. The local dishes do not disappoint either, they offer a hybridisation of Venetian and Friulian cuisine, savour it at the Antica Osteria Manin.
Birthplace of Giorgione
Like Montagnana, Castelfranco Veneto is characterised by its imposing medieval walls and is a treasure to discover. The city is famous for being the birthplace of Giorgione, one of the great Renaissance artists and for housing one of his most enigmatic masterpieces, the Castelfranco Madonna. This masterpiece, hung in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is renowned for its innovative composition, multiple meanings attributable to the allegorical elements inserted by the artist, and the difficulty of interpreting some of its iconographic elements.
Around the walls, the city is lively, with elegant downtown streets bustling with craft shops, weekly markets and historic cafés. Don’t miss the Teatro Accademico: a small but glorious gem of 18th century architecture.
Radicchio Rosso of Treviso and Castelfranco Veneto IGP: this versatile ingredient is found in many of the local dishes, and Castelfranco is an epicentre for its cultivation. In the autumn-winter season, it will definitely be on the menu at the Ristorante Barbesin.
Ponte degli Alpini and Grappa
Bassano del Grappa is perhaps one of the most iconic towns in the Veneto region thanks to its unique bridge: the Ponte degli Alpini. This covered bridge, designed by renowned architect Andrea Palladio, is an architectural wonder that spans the River Brenta, offering breath-taking views of the mountains the town, and, with its wooden roof, is one of the most unusual bridges in Italy. This bridge is immortalised in the famous Italian World War I song as the place where soldiers returning from the front would meet up with their loved ones. Today, celebrate your love or drown your sorrows in grappa: right beside the bridge is Nardini, one of Veneto’s historic distilleries for this spirit named after the town. Here, ancient stills and tales of an art that has been handed down for generations enchant and fascinate but sample with caution - especially if you have driven here.
The historic centre of Bassano is perfection, with lively squares, frescoed palazzos and artisan workshops. Don't miss the Museo Civico, a museum which houses a rich collection of artworks and historical artefacts, and the Ossuary Temple, a memorial site dedicated to those fallen in the First World War.
