Nassar on the Adige

Nassar lies directly on the Adige and is described as the only area of its kind within the municipality of San Pietro in Cariano. The village combines a section of the Alzaia with historical traces, an agricultural landscape and the cultural setting of Valpolicella. For planning your trip, the route along the river is of particular interest: It begins at the railway bridge in Parona, reaches the municipality of San Pietro in Cariano at Nassar and can be covered on foot, by bicycle or on horseback.

Alzaia, Adige and cycle paths

After entering the municipality, the Sentiero dell'Alzaia leads to the old Mulino Nassar. The path is generally accessible year-round. After rain, however, the sandy surface may become impassable; the same applies when the Adige is in flood. This restriction is part of the specific assessment of the route and means that the experience may vary depending on the current condition of the path.

Along the Alzaia, Nassar is designated as a site of ecological interest. In the wider regional area, the cycle paths in Valpolicella and Valdadige partly follow the routes of former Roman roads. One main axis runs along the Via Claudia Augusta Padana. The landscape through which these paths run is predominantly agricultural: Vine growing dominates in lower Valpolicella, while cherries and olives are cultivated at higher elevations.

Churches, mill and historical traces

The historical setting includes the Pieve di San Floriano, first mentioned in a document dating from 905. The Romanesque church contains extensive fragments of Roman buildings. The Nassar section of the Alzaia is also home to the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. It dates from the 15th century and preserves two fragments of frescoes in addition to the high altar. Plaques there commemorate the water levels reached by the Adige during the floods of 1719 and 1882.

Nassar was once the site of a hospice for travellers and preserves old buildings with interesting architectural features. The Mulino Nassar is also part of the village scenery. Its bridges over the inlet and outlet channels are connected with the mill's former function: These channels once powered the mill's machinery.

Villas around Nassar

Nearby is Villa Serego in Santa Sofia, on the old road from Parona to Pedemonte. Andrea Palladio designed the villa in the 16th century. The chapel attached to the building contains frescoes from the beginning of the 14th century.

Villa Morando, also known as La Colombina, stands on the banks of the Adige in Nassar-Settimo. Villa Mosconi, also known as Villa Mirandola and built towards the end of the 17th century, is likewise part of the historical setting. At the beginning of the 19th century, a pagan altar decorated with putti and sacrificial implements was found on the grounds belonging to Villa Mirandola. Today, it stands in two parts on either side of the entrance, on the façade of the San Giuseppe Chapel attached to the villa.

Valpolicella as the regional setting

The wine-making tradition of the wider region is also part of understanding a stay in Nassar and San Pietro in Cariano. Wines offered in the Valpolicella context include Valpolicella, Amarone, Recioto and Ripasso. Thus, along the banks of the Adige, a specific route, historic buildings and the predominantly agricultural surroundings of Valpolicella come together.

For other places to put your trip into context and help with planning, see Buttapietra, Brenzone, Parona Di Valpolicella, Mazzano, Festara, Cavalcaselle, San Pietro In Cariano and Calmasino.

For the broader travel overview: Verona.