The best traffic-free bike rides around Monselice

From the sassonegro of Monte Cecilia starts this dirt road about 1.5 km long, initially quite beaten and then decidedly broken (la Scajara) with a nice slope. To be done in both directions with Mtb or Gravel

The Public Gardens of Este, located in the heart of the town at the foot of the Euganean Hills, offer a fascinating green oasis enclosed within the imposing fourteenth-century walls of the Carrarese Castle. This historic park combines the solemnity of medieval architecture, with its towers and ramparts, with rich vegetation characterized by large lawns and majestic centuries-old trees, including imposing Lebanon cedars. Within the same area stands Palazzo Mocenigo, home to the National Atestino Museum, creating a perfect blend of nature, archaeology, and history. The garden has always been the ideal meeting place for relaxing walks, cultural events, and city flower shows, offering evocative views and a serene atmosphere in every season.

Arquà Petrarca is a charming medieval village nestled on the slopes of the Euganean Hills, considered one of the most fascinating villages in Italy. Its destiny is linked to the poet Francesco Petrarca, who chose it as his home to spend the last years of his life, attracted by the peace of the landscape. Divided between the upper and lower areas, the village retains an untouched atmosphere, characterized by stone alleys, ancient residences in Venetian Gothic style, and lush nature made of olive trees, vineyards, and jujube trees, the symbolic fruit of the place. Among the points of greatest interest are the poet's house, his tomb in red Verona marble placed on the parvis of the church of Santa Maria Assunta, and the 14th-century fountain. The village offers enchanting views of the Padan plain and is an unmissable destination for those seeking history, poetry, and food and wine excellences such as the famous jujube broth.

Located along the road leading up to the upper village of Arquà Petrarca, Palazzo Contarini is a refined example of 15th-century Gothic-Venetian architecture in the Euganean Hills. The building stands out for its elegant Venetian-style facade, embellished with trifora and bifora windows with trefoil arches that recall the style of the palaces of the Serenissima. Fascinating traces of ancient Renaissance frescoes that once entirely decorated its exterior surface are still visible today. Built as a country residence by one of the most illustrious Venetian patrician families of the time, the palace testifies to the close link between the nobility of Venice and the Euganean territory, often chosen as a place for holidays, rest, and meditation. Today, perfectly integrated into the historical context of the village, it represents a stop of great historical and architectural value for those visiting the town.

route through the Euganean Hills

The system of bridges and the viability of the Isola dell'Unione in Chioggia (VE) historically connect the historic center of Chioggia with the nearby seaside resort of Sottomarina. The area is served by a translagunar bridge and the characteristic swing bridge that crosses the Canale San Domenico. The main details about the Isola dell'Unione infrastructure include: Ponte Translagunare (Ponte della Concordia): Inaugurated in 1931, it is about 700 meters long and directly connects Sottomarina to Chioggia by crossing the lagoon. Ponte Girevole (Canale San Domenico): Regulates internal traffic and allows boats to pass. It has recently been the subject of tenders for extraordinary maintenance and the reorganization of city traffic. Roads and Cycle Paths: The area is part of the Passeggiata del Lusenzo, a circular pedestrian and cycle path that connects the two centers passing through the Isola dell'Unione, ideal for tourist visits and excursions.

The Ponte dell'Isola dell'Unione is the key infrastructure that unites Chioggia and Sottomarina, connecting the historicity of "Little Venice" to the vibrancy of its seaside soul. Crossing the lagoon, this bridge is not just a crucial communication route for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, but a true umbilical cord that transforms two distinct realities into a single urban organism. Strolling along its sidewalks, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the southern lagoon, with the moored boats, the distant casoni, and the unmistakable profiles of the two towns. For residents and tourists, it represents a suggestive transit point, particularly fascinating at sunset, when the lights reflect on the water, summarizing in a single glance the maritime, historical, and tourist essence of this unique territory.

Beautiful village to visit and taste the typical Venetian dishes.