Preara-Moraro-Levà Nord: Frescoes, History and Nature

Preara-Moraro-Levà Nord can be explored through two distinct themes: examples of sacred art and architectural history, and the natural surroundings of the Sentiero dei Nievo. This gives you the option of choosing different focuses when planning your stay—for example, historical places and architecture, or woodland, stream and seasonal plants. Each sight tells a different chapter in the area's history.

Church, Castle and Villas

The Chiesetta di San Pietro in Castelvecchio was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque-Ravennate style. A continuous fresco frieze dating from the early 16th century runs along the upper inner side of its perimeter walls, depicting the twelve apostles. The building and its artwork therefore belong to different periods: the Romanesque-Ravennate architecture and the later frieze of the apostles each lend the building a distinct historical character. The church stands on a hill where a bishop's castle was built. The castle was destroyed in 1313 during an incursion by the people of Padua.

La Bastia is also associated with medieval history. The complex stands on a very steep slope; its name recalls an old castle built by the Scaligeri on the hilltop. The castle associated with La Bastia was captured and set on fire on the night of 2 July 1386 by troops under Arcoano Buzzaccarini, the podestà of Bassano serving the Carraresi. Shortly afterwards, Antonio della Scala had it demolished down to its foundations.

The south-facing Neoclassical façade of the villa at La Bastia was built by Stefano Nievo at the beginning of the 17th century. Five Doric intercolumniations divide the façade. Another example of historic architecture is Villa Tretti in Preara, a 17th-century building. Its portico has arches with a shallow segmental shape. The two villas thus represent different architectural features: at La Bastia, the façade is defined by its orientation and Doric intercolumniations, while at Villa Tretti, the portico is the distinctive detail.

A Place of Remembrance

The British military cemetery in Preara contains the graves of 438 British service personnel and one Indian civilian. It took its present form after the end of the First World War. People from all over the world continue to visit the cemetery to remember the places where their distant relatives died. The exact number of graves, the cemetery's later design and its enduring significance as a memorial give this place several historical layers: it is connected both with those who died and with the remembrance of their relatives.

Woodland and Stream along the Sentiero dei Nievo

The Sentiero dei Nievo runs through the woodland alongside the Erbizo stream. Further upstream, a spring that flows year-round feeds the stream. Numerous wild plants grow in the valley along the trail, and various bird species can also be found there, including magpies and green woodpeckers. The Sentiero therefore draws attention not only to the route itself, but also to the stream, spring, and the valley's plant and animal life.

The seasons bring distinct differences in flowering: primroses bloom there as early as the end of January. In spring, the banks of the stream are covered in the flowers of the white wood anemone. If you are particularly interested in plants, these details offer two different seasonal reference points for planning your trip. Primroses appear at the end of winter, while the wood anemone brings the stream banks to life in spring.

Place Name and Local Cuisine

A place name and a dish add to the cultural themes. The district of Preara takes its name from the “priara de Saccardo.” A traditional local dish is “Quaja al speo e poènta onta”: spit-roasted quail with fried polenta. Together with the buildings and the Sentiero, the destination offers a range of ways to shape your stay, depending on whether you are interested in local history, architecture, remembrance, nature or regional cuisine. Discover more destinations: Mirabella, Mussolente, Campiglia Dei Berici, Grumolo Delle Abbadesse, Tonezza Del Cimone, Villaverla, Campolongo Sul Brenta and Enego.

For the wider travel overview: Vicenza.