“Our region is among those boasting the highest number of sites recognized as World Heritage Sites, together with a fine selection of intangible assets and real naturalistic treasures worthy of being UNESCO biosphere reserves. We strongly believe in these international recognitions, as an absolute certification of the peculiarities of our territory and as a flywheel to spread the image of Veneto all over the world”
Luca Zaia, president of Veneto
Padova was officially declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, thus becoming Urbs Picta, but Padova is not the only site in the Veneto, actually, we do have nine, and apparently, they won’t be the last either! In addition to the recent recognition of the Prosecco Hills, the Monte Grappa Biosphere and the Murano glass beads, this year 2022 also sees the candidature of the Euganean Hills.
The idea was launched by the regional councilor for agriculture, Giuseppe Pan, at the assembly of Confagricoltura Padova, held in Vo’ Euganeo, a symbolic place to give substance to a new start after the pandemic.
Abano Terme, and therefore the AbanoRitz, as well as being at the foot of the Euganean Hills, boasts a fantastic and central location, so that it can be used as base for a fantastic trip to discover Veneto, its cities of art and the extraordinary artistic, historical, cultural and natural heritage that it encompasses.
So we are living in a treasure chest full of treasures? It must be so! And at the AbanoRitz we are ready to welcome you and suggest itineraries, visits and tastings in our area.
Just some of the things not to be missed around us:
- For the more sporty, the Euganean Hills cycle path: more than 60 kilometers full of historical, natural and… hydraulic points of interest! There are many stops and the day will pass in the blink of an eye. You can also opt to rent an electric bike through our friends at Viaggiare Curiosi!
- Trekking routes for all tastes, all levels and all ages! And why not take the opportunity to try your hand at climbing? Rocca Pendice, for example, is a reference point for expert climbers, but also a training point for mountaineering schools.
- The Historical Gardens of the Euganean Hills: Villa Valsalzibio, the Versailles of the Most Serene Republic of Venice, with its enormous labyrinth and an enigmatic path to purify the soul amidst centuries-old trees, labyrinths, symbols and allegories; but also the gardens of Catajo, Villa Emo and Villa Papafava dei Carraresi with a truly suggestive cave inside.
- Praglia Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century by the noble Maltraversi family of Vicenza, now houses the Italian National Monument Library. Many of the scenes from the film “The Name of the Rose” were filmed here.
- Villas in the Veneto and Euganean Hills, including Villa dei Vescovi, a FAI heritage site surrounded by vineyards and with a breathtaking view of our beloved hills.
- Tasting of D.O.C. wines and typical products at the cellars of the Euganean Hills Wine Route.
- Visit Arquà Petrarca, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where Francesco Petrarca lived during the last years of his life. Beauty, poetry and a unique medieval atmosphere to be savoured while tasting the typical local product: Brodo di Giuggiole (Jujube broth).
- Archaeological Museum of Cava Bomba, a former furnace testifies to the flourishing production activity typical of the Euganean Hills area in the past. It also houses a geo-paleontological museum with a geological section, a mineralogy section, a section with the prestigious “Da Rio” collection and with routes for all ages.
We could write pages and pages about how much we love and are attached to our territory. But we prefer to have you here and let you touch our natural treasure.
