Hikes in Rovolon

A trail that ascends along the ancient road that the denizens of Teolo used to reach the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, a Marian monastery that incorporated an ancient hermitage, which dates back to the early second millennium.

The trail crosses a forest track on the northern side of Monte Grande and, after a scenic stretch on the ridge, descends along its southern slope.

The car is parked in the square in Bastia. Starting from the square, you go down along via Monte Cereo; at the end of the street you can see Monte Cereo (or Sereo, the common name). After about 200 meters, at the end of the inhabited area, on the left, you can admire a farmhouse with a "Colombara" tower, certainly the most beautiful in the area and perhaps in the Colli.[1] After about another 100 meters you reach a fork and turn right. On the left rises Monte Cereo, which we follow for about 500 meters along a flat road, first paved and then unpaved. On the right you can see the Vallone that inserts itself between the foothills of Monte Viale and Monte Spinazzola.[2] Then begins a climb of about 300 meters, very steep, which leads to the provincial road that, to the left, goes from Rovolon towards Montemerlo. We turn precisely left and after about 50 meters we reach a small shrine. We take left again, halfway up Monte Cereo for about 700 meters, along a paved road immersed in greenery; on the right, among the trees, the green of the Golf Club Frassanelle can be glimpsed. Then you reach a crossroads: the road to the left goes up towards Villa Montesi-Barbarigo. We go straight on, beyond the ridge going down, for about 20 meters and then take the path that appears to the left among the trees. After a short stretch of woods, the path opens onto a green valley, descending along Monte Cereo until it intersects the E2 cycle path. We proceed left, turning around the mountain, thus emerging into a valley dominated (top left) by Villa Montesi Barbarigo. After about another 500 meters, we are back at the initial fork: turning right you skirt the Colombara and return to the square in Bastia, where we parked. [1] In the Euganei as in many other areas of Italy, towers of this kind (though generally more modest and less beautiful) are not rare in ancient farmhouses, villas and manor houses. [2] This area was once called "Busa de Rusa", today the "Valli Toffan" biotope.

Loop route: staying at altitude, you skirt Monte della Madonna and Monte Grande, passing through Passo Fiorine.

Path of the Faces

It's the first of 2 stages that cover almost all the Euganean hills. I downloaded the route from the Euganean Hills park website and then split it in half.

From Rovolon to the Oratory of Sant'Antonio Abate, Passo Fiorine and back to Rovolon. A panoramic hike around Monte della Madonna with an alternation of vegetation from chestnut to dwarf prickly pear. We park in the Alpini Square, near the church of Rovolon. Dedicated to Saint George, the church is documented in 1077, but its origins could date back to the 7th - 8th century. We go down via San Giorgio towards Bastia and after about 100 meters we go up to the left, from via San Giorgio towards via San Pietro.[1] About 400 meters from the start, on the right we find a small niche carved into a chestnut stump housing a little Madonna; we continue to climb. At the top of the climb opens the splendid plateau of San Pietro.[2] As soon as we reach the plateau, we take the dirt path to the left towards the mountain; then, at the entrance of the woods, we take a right. The surrounding flora, being exposed to the north, is characterized by locust trees, chestnuts, elderberries and oaks. At the top of this first (and demanding) climb we find a bench, ideal for a break. Here one can observe a truly remarkable variety of plants: medlar, ash, oak and other undergrowth plants such as strawberry tree and heather. A few meters after the aforementioned bench, a path is noticed on the left (the Monte della Madonna path no. 17). Our route continues instead remaining at altitude and towards the right. After about 150 meters we emerge in a breathtaking position for the splendid panorama opening to the southeast.[3] Proceeding along the path you can admire many prickly pear plants, which offer a luxuriant bloom in springtime. You then reach the little church of Sant'Antonio Abate.[4] In front of us Monte Altore; proceeding along a demanding uphill path we arrive at a rocky terrace from which you can admire the stunning panorama of the area. After about 100 meters, continuing towards Fiorine, a path marked with number 1 opens that leads to the summit of Monte della Madonna. Continuing towards Fiorine we cross a forest of oaks and hornbeams on an almost flat stretch. Arriving at Passo Fiorine we take the path, also flat, leading towards Monte della Madonna and which, keeping the Baita Passo Fiorine on the right, after about 50 meters enters the woods. From this point, on clear days, Bastia and the entire plain north of the Euganean Hills can be seen, with the Berici Mountains to the west, the castle of Montegalda to the north and higher up the Venetian Prealps; on our right you go up towards Monte Grande. About 200 meters from the Baita the path forks: to the right it goes down to Rovolon, we continue to the left. About 500 meters from Passo Fiorine, near an Enel pole, a panoramic point opens that deserves a stop. About 15 minutes from the Pass you arrive at a real crossroads: going straight you return towards San Pietro, turning left you take the path that climbs Monte della Madonna, turning right instead you descend to Rovolon following the old so-called “worksite” road, built in the 1950s, which takes us to the chestnut stump with the little Madonna signaled at the beginning of the path. From here, proceeding to the right, you return to the church of Rovolon, the starting point. [1]Immediately after, on the right, you meet the ancient village called “gheto dei capeani”, perhaps the oldest in the town of Rovolon. Further ahead, downstream, towards the north, you notice Villa Ottavia, an ancient Benedictine settlement with, in the background, the town of Bastia. More to the right, Monte Viale in front of Monte Cereo and then Monte Spinazzola and Frassanelle. Going up along the asphalt road, on the left you skirt the “Momi” clearing, now Toni Ceramica, enriched by a considerable group of ancient maronari. [2]Now used as a cellar, the little church of San Pietro probably dates back to an era earlier than that of the church of Rovolon itself (which in 2001 celebrated the 500 years since its foundation). [3]In the background, Monte Venda; in front of us Monte Altore; a little more to the right and in the background Monte Vendevolo and even more to the right, isolated, Monte Lozzo. From here, on exceptionally clear days, the gaze can reach the Apennines embracing the entire Po Valley; on the right the chain of the Berici Hills. Here you begin to see plant varieties almost unique to our hills, such as prickly pears. The closest town to us, down there, is Zovon. More to the left you see Vò with Vò Vecchio on its right. You enter the Municipality of Teolo. Being exposed to the south and in full sun, here the vegetation is much less lush. [4]The little church is called “Sant’Antonio Porseeto” for the pig that usually stays at the feet of the Saint in official iconography. Here you can admire a deep natural cave, at the bottom of which there is a small spring in which newts live.

Tour Villa di Teolo Monte Grande Passo delle Fiorine Sant’Antonio Abate Teolo Villa di Teolo

Ancient route on the northwest side of Monte della Madonna that first leads along a farm track and then on a steep path to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte, Leaving the Reassi Winery on our right, we continue towards Carbonara. After about 100 meters, on the left, the San Pietro trail begins, marked R6. Follow the dirt road with a slight uphill slope, bordering a vineyard until passing next to a house, almost into its courtyard: leave it on the right and continue. Along the path, still on the right, among the vegetation there are specimens of the priest's hat tree, a tree with white flowers in spring and red berries in autumn. Continue uphill passing next to another house until reaching a fork. Take the right and, before reaching the summit, enjoy the surrounding panorama. In the background from right to left are visible Monte Pasubio, Cornetto, Carega, and the Lessini; closer to our sight are the Berici Hills with San Pancrazio, Barbarano, and Albettone. Continue a few meters and find yourself on an asphalt road, Via Palazzina. Cross the road and almost opposite find the entrance to the next section of the route. The beginning of the ascent is characterized by a stone wall similar to trachyte but more crumbly (it was formerly used for the base of roads and courtyards). The climb continues on a dirt track, surrounded by chestnut woods, typical vegetation of this area. Pass by the courtyard of a house and at the top of the climb opens the splendid plateau of San Pietro, with on the left the namesake small church now used as a cellar.[1] This area was inhabited and frequented in ancient times, as evidenced by the discovery in 1960 of Middle Paleolithic artifacts, stored at the Archaeological Museum of Este. Continuing to the right you enter Via San Pietro and 50 m ahead, on the left going uphill following the signs, here is the "Terrazzo dei maronari". Here you can continue to the viewpoint to enjoy other wonderful views in the direction of Zovon, Vo', Lozzo and the Berici Hills. On clear days, the chimneys of the Ostiglia Power Plant can be seen in the distance. Without going to the viewpoint, alternatively you can continue the walk by taking the path almost opposite the gate of the first house you encounter. Enter the vegetation and arrive at the intersection with the Alpini Path. Almost in front of us is the continuation of the route on the forest road, to the right of the hairpin bend. If instead you prefer to return to the starting point you can keep left, thus finding yourself again on the San Pietro plateau. Take the forest road, continue for an almost straight stretch until you find a steep path on the right that climbs through the vegetation (difficult section). Along the climb are some special rocks with characteristic names: "la pria dell'angelo", with two hollows side by side where you can kneel, and the "Caregheta dea Madona", shaped like a seat. The path continues uphill until arriving at the square in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Monte.[2] The presence of the sacred place gave the very name to the relief, Monte della Madonna. There are several alternatives to return to the starting point at Carbonara: retracing the same path; descending along the asphalt road until you meet on the left (in a curve) path no. 17 which leads back towards Rovolon; reaching the Fiorine pass and connecting with other paths of the Rovolon Municipality (R1 or R2). [1] Probably dating back to an era earlier than that of the church of Rovolon itself (which in 2001 celebrated its 500 years anniversary). Already from 1154 there is news of a village between Rovolon and Carbonara. It was called Costa and took its name precisely from its location halfway up the mountain. The village had a church dedicated to San Pietro: in this district the monks of Santa Giustina are known to have had properties at least since 1269. [2] Here there was a church dating back to the 13th century, mentioned in the testament of Wirixolo of 1253, a reference point for hermits and pilgrims. United in 1508 by Pope Julius II to the Benedictine abbey of Praglia as its dependency, the church was repeatedly expanded and became a true sanctuary entrusted to the care of a local Marian confraternity. During the difficult phase of the Napoleonic suppressions that saw Praglia closed, the hermitic experience on Monte della Madonna did not cease. In 1940 the church was largely rebuilt, while in the period 1955-65 a small monastery with cloister was built next to it, where Benedictine monks of the Praglia community still reside permanently.

2 hikes in one starting from Passo Fiorine on the Euganean Hills