Top 15 Caves around Montecchio Maggiore

A picturesque cliff that hides a series of còvoli (natural karst caves) and a disused priara (stone quarry). The best ravines, rock formations, and light effects must be sought out, carefully venturing onto the rugged ledge at the foot of the wall. The cliff is used for sport climbing ('Lumignano Nuova', to distinguish it from 'Lumignano Classica' on the other side of the valley).

This unique, rare, and fascinating two-story cave dwelling was ingeniously carved out of a depleted stone quarry, sealing off the openings and creating internal spaces with walls, exploiting every nook and cranny until it completely integrated with the quarry. This cave dwelling is known as 'Sengia dei Meoni,' after the last family who lived there until 1959. But on August 11th of that year, during a violent storm, lightning struck from the chimney, starting a fire, shaking the walls and making the building uninhabitable. The family survived, but the dwelling was permanently abandoned. It was restored in 2013, with original rustic furnishings from the early 1900s, becoming a museum open only on specific months, days, and times: a blast from the past! For information: https://www.facebook.com/p/Museo-della-Pietra-a-Zovencedo-Coop-Scatola-Cultura-100063707821673/?locale=it_IT

An extremely evocative and interesting site, hidden and unexpected, almost surreal: it surprises with its vastness and the slender square columns supporting the titanic ceiling... it feels like being inside a temple in ancient Mesopotamia or in the mines of Moria from Tolkien's memory! The Priàre (from 'pria', meaning stone in the Venetian dialect) are a complex of underground quarries and tunnels for the extraction of the renowned "soft Vicenza stone," active from Roman times until the mid-20th century. During the bombings of World War II, the quarries were used by the inhabitants of Montecchio as a refuge; between 1972 and 1985, they were exploited as a mushroom farm, thanks to the humidity and constant temperature throughout the year; Afterwards, they were abandoned until their redevelopment and safety measures in 2000. Vicenza Stone is a highly prized material, always highly appreciated and sought after in architecture and construction: beyond its aesthetic appeal, it is soft and malleable when freshly quarried, but upon contact with air, it "seasons," hardening and becoming extremely resistant over time. This rock was used to build the Montecchio fortresses and by Andrea Palladio for his works. It has always been quarried strictly by hand, using the same technique for millennia, in square blocks; this is why the quarries have such a geometric appearance. Open Sunday afternoon; entry is only possible with a (very interesting) guided tour lasting about 40 minutes; admission is €3. Please note that payment by POS is not possible due to the lack of signal. https://www.prolocoaltemontecchio.it/cosa-vedere/le-priare/

From Mossano (near the town hall), follow the clearly visible signs, path 81, which after a short descent leads you uphill between old mills, accompanied by the sweet sound of the stream.

The Valle dei Mulini of Mossano and path 81 take you to a wonderful corner of the Berici, where history, traditions and nature come together to give those who travel it a unique experience of peace and tranquility. It is a path also suitable for children, easy and always well maintained.

A gallery with a majestic entrance and height. The square cuts in the walls and ceiling reveal the stone extraction process: first, a layer of wall was isolated, cutting deeply along the entire perimeter; then, non-invasive explosives and metal pins were used to collapse the hidden facade and detach the enormous block. It is one of the many quarries in the Berici Hills (known as 'priàre' in Venetian dialect) for the extraction of the prized Vicenza stone, widely used and appreciated in architecture. Some quarries (like this one) have been abandoned; others are still active; and still others have been converted for various uses. https://www.colliberici.it/it/i-colli-berici/societa/la-attivita-estrattive

I recommend following the path upstream and not the one further down, in order to see all the nests that follow one another in this stretch. Follow the orange marks on the trunks of the plants. Please note that the route is challenging and bumpy, but not dangerous.

Superb ride in the heart of the Berici