Crocetta Del Montello: History, Villas and Landscape

Crocetta Del Montello is a suitable choice if you would like to explore Veneto through its historical traces, villas, wine tradition and distinctive landscapes. The area’s character ranges from the Montello’s long history of settlement and use to World War I memorial sites and archaeological finds.

History from Prehistory to the Present

The Montello area has been continuously settled or used from the distant prehistoric period through Roman times. The Museo Civico di Crocetta del Montello “La Terra e L’Uomo” provides a focused way to explore this development. Its palaeontological and archaeological collections illustrate the evolution of life and human history.

Villa Ancilotto also recounts several chapters of the area’s history. It began in the mid-17th century as the Osteria “Alla Croxetta”. Run by the Ancilotto family, the villa was regarded at provincial level as a model of modern enterprise. Today, it houses the local library and the natural history museum “La Terra e L’Uomo”. Thus, a historic building brings together a gastronomic past, family history and a natural history collection.

Military History and a Route through the Montello

The Osservatorio del Re is a military observation post beneath the Casa Benedetti building in Crocetta del Montello. From there, King Vittorio Emanuele III watched the Battle of the Piave area. The Colonna Romana at the Osservatorio del Re was erected in 1933 as a memorial to the First World War.

If you would like to combine this historical focus with independent exploration, the “The Battle of the Solstice” route begins at the Osservatorio del Re. It can be travelled by bicycle or car. The route therefore provides a clear starting point for exploring the area’s military history, without requiring any particular form of travel.

Villas, Wine and Industrial Heritage

Villa Sandi is a Palladian-style building dating from 1622. Villa Sandi organizes guided tours of the underground wine cellars, the villa and the surrounding garden. For travellers who would like to combine architecture and wine in one visit, the guided nature of the tour is a key feature here.

Villa Pontello dates from the 18th century and was acquired by the Pontello family in 1850. After being damaged in the war, it was rebuilt and converted into an orphanage in 1928. Today, various social and cultural activities take place in Villa Pontello and its adjoining areas. The Canapificio Veneto, founded in 1883, offers a different historical perspective. It was a modern hemp-processing industry that produced ropes, cords, and white and coloured threads.

Landscape and Archaeological Traces

The Fontana del Buoro di Ciano is a hollow carved out by stream water. Archaeological remains dating from the late Copper Age to the Bronze Age were found there. This landscape site therefore complements the museums and historic buildings with a place where geological formation and early human use can be seen together.

For further options in the travel area, you can also include Salgareda, Treviso, Fonte, Spercenigo, Catena, Monastier Di Treviso, Santa Cristina and Zerman.

Back to the main travel overview: Treviso.