Lovertino: Chapels, Archaeological Sites and Trails in the Hills

Lovertino combines historical traces with a protected hilly area and trails that connect culture, landscape and activity. The character of the area is particularly evident around the Chapel of Santi Vito e Modesto, the parish church of San Silvestro and Colle di Lovertino. If you are looking for a stay that is not limited to individual sights, you will find specific starting points here for historical discoveries and trails through the southern hills of the Colli di Albettone.

Chapels and Archaeological Traces

A spear-shaped flint fragment discovered in 1935 in the valley below the old church of Lovertino is preserved at the Museo Atestino in Este.

Roman artefacts have been discovered around the Chapel of Santi Vito e Modesto. The archaeological remains include Roman foundations, floor layers and parts of mosaics. The chapel itself is documented as early as 753. Its apse preserves the original structure. Following a severe storm in 1965, the chapel was restored and returned to its original appearance. For your visit, this creates an unusually rich combination of documented early history, Roman traces and preserved architectural elements.

San Silvestro, too, leads into a different historical period. The present-day parish church dates from 1856. In the 9th century, San Silvestro was a chapel belonging to the abbey of the same name in Vicenza, which was dependent on Nonantola. Thus, in Lovertino, an older chapel documented as early as the 8th century and a 19th-century parish church stand within different historical contexts.

Protected Hills and the Trail along the Bisatto

Colle di Lovertino and the adjacent hills are subject to landscape protection under Legislative Decree No. 490 of 29 October 1999. On the hill, a historically documented and environmentally focused trail begins at the ancient port of the Bisatto. The starting point therefore connects the landscape of the hill with a specific historical reference.

Lovertino belongs to the southern hills of the Colli di Albettone. This area also includes the hamlets of Lovolo and Lovertino; it is covered by Berici Climbs. For orientation while travelling, it is also noted that most roads in this hilly area have little traffic, but have not been closed to traffic. This describes the character of the routes more precisely without claiming that they are generally free of traffic.

Hiking Route and Access to San Silvestro

A specific way to explore Lovertino on foot is provided by the eighth stage of the Cammino di Adelaide. It takes hikers to the Chapel of Santi Vito e Modesto and then along the embankment of the Bisatto Canal towards Albettone. In the description of this stage, the church or chapel of San Vito e San Modesto is listed as a sight of interest. This means the chapel can be viewed both as a historical destination and as part of a longer route.

Access to the parish church of San Silvestro is explicitly differentiated: vehicles can reach the church; pedestrians can alternatively use a staircase. If you would like to connect the two religious buildings, you will therefore encounter different access conditions here, without this implying a general statement about all routes in Lovertino.

Local Festival Reference

As a culinary and local reference, the Festa dei Marroni, a chestnut festival, is listed for Albettone, hamlet of Lovertino. This reference adds a regional occasion to the historical and landscape themes without presupposing a current event date.

Other Places for Planning Your Trip

Other places that you can include in your trip planning are Brendola, Tezze Sul Brenta, Castana, Bertigo, Valdagno, Valle, Montegalda and Creazzo.

For the broader travel overview: Vicenza.