Discover Vigasio: Springs, History and Polenta

Vigasio combines protected water landscapes, historic ecclesiastical and villa architecture, and the Fiera della Polenta with its polenta programme. If you would like to choose a place for your journey through Veneto based on specific landscape and cultural features, you will find several distinct points of interest here: the Fontanili di Povegliano protected area, the Church of San Zeno di Vigasio, Villa Portalupi, Farina, and the Santuario Madonna di Campagnamagra. The Fiera della Polenta, with its culinary and cultural programme, is another highlight.

Spring landscape on the outskirts of Vigasio

The SIC/ZPS IT3210008 “Fontanili di Povegliano” protected area is located within the municipality of Vigasio. At the north-western edge of Vigasio, the River Tartaro runs through this area. It lies between the Tartarello River and the Fossa Liona, giving it a clearly defined landscape structure between waterways and spring areas.

Another element of this landscape lies in the eastern part of the municipality: an ecological corridor runs around the Fosse Solarina and Graicella. It begins at the springs that rise there and connects with the Tartaro corridor south-east of the town centre. For choosing a location, this gives you an image of Vigasio shaped not only by individual buildings, but also by interconnected water-related landscape areas.

Churches and historic buildings

The Church of San Zeno di Vigasio is already mentioned in a document dating from 1004. This early documentary reference establishes a clear historical point of reference within the town’s history. Villa Portalupi, Farina, known as “La Zambonina”, provides a different architectural accent. It dates from the 16th century and has a façade with Baroque-style elements and three loggias.

The left loggia of the villa contains a fresco depicting the “monda”.

The Santuario Madonna di Campagnamagra preserves a 15th-century fresco. It depicts the Madonna and Child, John the Baptist, and Saint Christopher. Every year on 8 September, the sanctuary celebrates the Feast of the Nativity of Mary. The fixed date and the surviving fresco give the sanctuary both an art-historical and a religious significance.

Polenta, regional dishes and event programme

The Fiera della Polenta is a distinct theme for travel planning. At the event, polenta is served every day in a wide variety of versions and combinations, including with Sopressa, mushrooms and Gorgonzola, as well as with Baccalà alla vicentina. Anyone wishing to classify regional cuisine by specific dishes will therefore find more here than a general reference to polenta.

The programme also includes theatre performances and live concerts in a heated marquee at the sports facilities. Meetings of vintage cars and historic tractors complement the events programme. The Fiera thus combines food, stage entertainment and historic vehicles, without reducing these elements to a single experience.

Another point of reference in the town’s history

Music history is also connected with Vigasio: the composer Italo Montemezzi was born in Vigasio (Verona) on 4 August 1875. This biographical connection broadens the view of the town to include a person whose origins here are documented with a complete date of birth.

Other places at the same level

For further orientation, you can also consider Castel D'azzano, Erbezzo, Beccacivetta-Azzano, Lavagno, Settimo, Dossobuono, Pesina Spezie and Legnago.

For the overarching travel overview: Verona.