The treasures of "Veneto"
The flavors of "Veneto"
VENETO
GOOD LIVING
An excellent product is never an isolated phenomenon, but the result of a combination of factors, including the lifestyle, culture, and history of the place from which it originates. Olive oil is one of the protagonists of the Veneto lifestyle, and an essential component of many of the traditional recipes. In Veneto, eating well is synonymous with living well. This region also happens to be blessed with favourable geographical conditions, such as the sea, the Dolomites, the Rivers Po, Piave, Brenta, Sile, and Garda Lake, as well as the Euganei and Berici Hills.
The variety of beautiful landscapes here are reflected in its artistic and cultural eclecticism. Over the years, Veneto’s beauty has inspired painters, sculptors, and architects alike, such as Giotto, Giorgione, Tiepolo, Jacopo da Ponte, Palladio, Canaletto, Canova, to name only a few. Additionally, many of the grandfathers of music and the written word created their masterpieces in Veneto, for instance Vivaldi and Albinoni made their music here, along with Lorenzo da Ponte, the librettist of Mozart. Goldoni was also a Veneto native, and one of the great writers of his time, and Teofilo Folengo invented the macaronic language here. Monsignor Della Casa wrote the Galateo here, which defined the rules of polite behavior. Of course, no one can forget Casanova, who infamously created the code of seduction, and Da Porto, who “invented” the story of Romeo and Giulia. Finally, Veneto was the place from which Marco Polo set off on his expedition to discover the Orient.
The variety of beautiful landscapes here are reflected in its artistic and cultural eclecticism. Over the years, Veneto’s beauty has inspired painters, sculptors, and architects alike, such as Giotto, Giorgione, Tiepolo, Jacopo da Ponte, Palladio, Canaletto, Canova, to name only a few. Additionally, many of the grandfathers of music and the written word created their masterpieces in Veneto, for instance Vivaldi and Albinoni made their music here, along with Lorenzo da Ponte, the librettist of Mozart. Goldoni was also a Veneto native, and one of the great writers of his time, and Teofilo Folengo invented the macaronic language here. Monsignor Della Casa wrote the Galateo here, which defined the rules of polite behavior. Of course, no one can forget Casanova, who infamously created the code of seduction, and Da Porto, who “invented” the story of Romeo and Giulia. Finally, Veneto was the place from which Marco Polo set off on his expedition to discover the Orient.
POVE DEL GRAPPA
CITY OF OIL
Pove del Grappa is a village known for its production of high quality olive oil near Grappa mountain. Thanks to more than 20,000 olive trees grown in Pove del Grappa, the area is known as “Conca Degli Olivi,” or “Olive Basin” in English. The territory takes great pride in its olive oil production, and one of its main tourist attractions and promotional features are the beautiful ancient olive trees grown here and their precious produce. Pove del Grappa is a proud part of “Città dell’Olio d’Italia”.
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA
ART CITY
Bassano del Grappa is a town most famous for its ancient bridge- the Ponte Vecchio, and the Grappa Mountain. These two features, and the amazing food and cultural experience it offers, are what make this small town a major tourist attraction. Bassano is situated at the entrance of the Valsugana, and is an essential passage way between the north and the south of Italy. As such, it has been a crossroads of commerce and history. Bassano has also known many tragedies. The line of resistance during the Great War ran right over the Grappa mountain, and they were caught in the crossfire of the Second World War as well.
The city is also famous for Jacopo da Ponte (1500) and his school of painters. The local museum is dedicated to ceramics, a local artistic production, and to the Remondini family, who were major European printers for almost two centuries. Life in Bassano is pretty good these days- the economy is strong as the city center is a cultural jewel, and the enogastronomy is very much present. Their top produce consists of white asparagus, broccoli, cherries from nearby Marostica, celery from Rubbio and Campese, peas from Borso, wine from the surrounding hills in Breganze, and, of course, oil from Pove.
The city is also famous for Jacopo da Ponte (1500) and his school of painters. The local museum is dedicated to ceramics, a local artistic production, and to the Remondini family, who were major European printers for almost two centuries. Life in Bassano is pretty good these days- the economy is strong as the city center is a cultural jewel, and the enogastronomy is very much present. Their top produce consists of white asparagus, broccoli, cherries from nearby Marostica, celery from Rubbio and Campese, peas from Borso, wine from the surrounding hills in Breganze, and, of course, oil from Pove.
ASOLO
THE PEARL
Due to its panoramic views, Asolo has been called “the city of the hundred horizons.” It is a great observation point, and a paradise for romantics with its quaint streets and alleyways, scented gardens and breathtaking scenic views. Asolo is also know for the Rock, a grand fortress sheltering the picturesque little town. This small town also has blue blood running through its veins. In the late fifteenth century, Asolo became the seat of Caterina Cornaro, queen of Cyprus, Armenia and Jerusalem. During this golden exile, she surrounded herself with illustrious artists like the poet Pietro Bembo, the painters Lorenzo Lotto and Giorgione. Her residence here left the town with her lavish castle, its majestic tower and her beautiful estate, called the Barco, which are still intact today. Out of empathy, Asolo has always been inhabited by great ladies. The actress Eleonora Duse was so in love with the town that she is buried here. Freya Stark, the indomitable traveler, also lived here, as well as Katharine De Kay Bronson, a wealthy American, who presided over her salon at the villa La Mura. It is to her that the poet Robert Browning dedicated his verses “Asolando.” Asolo is also known for its production of quality wines, prosecco and recantina. This destination is a common source of inspiration and makes a wonderful relaxing escape with stunning views for days!
