Discover Selva Di Progno

Selva di Progno combines trails through Lessinia with a deeply rooted Cimbrian cultural history. Different experiences are available for planning your trip: Trail No. 290 leads from the town to Campofontana, cultural sites document customs and crafts, and the surrounding area includes the woodland and meadow landscapes of the Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia.

Trails between meadows, forests, and mountain villages

Trail No. 290 begins at the church of Selva di Progno. The path initially climbs through meadows before entering the forest. It then connects Selva di Progno with Campofontana, the municipality’s higher-altitude hamlet. The lower section runs through coppice woodland, while the upper section follows a path through open meadows with panoramic views. This means that the same trail presents different landscapes without requiring you to combine several routes.

For a longer route through Lessinia, CAI Trail No. 252, “Dorsale bassa della Lessinia,” is designated. It passes through Museo di Bolca, San Bortolo, Selva di Progno, Velo Veronese, Roverè Veronese, Corbiolo, Bivio Portello, and Ponte di Veja. Another notable route is CAI Trail No. 250, “Dorsale alta della Lessinia,” which begins in Giazza near the church.

At the Falesia del Monte Torla climbing wall, the EGANO route has a difficulty rating of 5A and a length of 15 m. This specific information also makes the wall interesting for visitors looking for a single documented climbing destination in addition to trails through the landscape.

Cimbrian culture and local traditions

The village of Giazza is home to an ethnographic museum about the so-called Cimbrian people. An affiliated documentation center organizes annual demonstrations and courses for people who want to learn the Cimbrian language. The Centro di cultura Cimbra Museo dei Cimbri documents the culture and customs of the Cimbrian people through traditional tools and equipment, as well as folk art and traditional craft objects.

The Museo dei Trombini documents the Cimbrian tradition of firing Trombini and displays historical examples. The Museo dei Trombini della Lessinia also explains the manufacturing process of the Trombini and displays tools formerly used to make them. A Derlo was once a handwoven, conical wooden basket used to carry work materials or agricultural products on the back.

Individual religious and community sites also add to this picture. The Madonna della Lobbia is considered the most famous and moving religious work of art in the Montagna Veronese. The Presepe Natalizio in San Bortolo delle Montagne is created by the local youth group of the Gruppo del Presepe. The Casa Museo Ferrazzetta illustrates the work of a Franciscan missionary who served as a missionary in an African country from 1955 until his death in 1999.

Woodland landscapes and festivals in Lessinia

The part of the Foresta di Giazza belonging to the municipality of Selva di Progno lies within the Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia. The Foresta di Giazza covers approximately 1,904 hectares. Central Lessinia is characterized by forests, meadows, and contrade. In Giazza, the Festival of Fire revives ancient Cimbrian customs through reenactments, music, fire shows, and the lighting of 13 fires.

The annual calendar in Selva di Progno includes the Sagra dell’Assunta in mid-August. At the beginning of October, the Fiera del Derlo, also called Fiera della Gerla, takes place there. The two events have different emphases within the local calendar of events.

More destinations in Veneto

If you would like to compare other destinations in addition to Selva Di Progno, you can also find information about Dolcé, Villa Bartolomea, Brognoligo-Costalunga, Salizzole, Bardolino, Sorgà, Fornello and Palù Dei Mori.

For the higher-level travel overview: Verona.