Ferrara di Monte Baldo: Nature, Stars and Historic Paths

Ferrara di Monte Baldo combines landscape, astronomical observation, natural history and traces of the past. When you choose accommodation in Ferrara di Monte Baldo, you can tailor your stay to different interests: plants and geology, the starry sky, forest therapy, hiking or the history of the First World War.

Natural Environment and Natural History

The Oasi del Monte Baldo encompasses the entire area above 1,200 metres within the territory of Ferrara di Monte Baldo and covers 3,800 hectares. On the eastern slope of the massif lies the Orto Botanico di Novezzina, in the municipality of Ferrara di Monte Baldo, at an altitude of 1,235 metres; it covers 20,000 square metres. Visits are possible only by reservation, on dates to be arranged, for groups of at least 10 people.

The Museo della Biodiversità in Novezzina is dedicated to Francesco Calzolari, a sixteenth-century pharmacist and botanist from Verona. At the same time, the museum explores the geological history of Monte Baldo through rocks and fossils. One example is Harpactocarcinus punctullatus, a fossil from the Eocene sediments of Ferrara di Monte Baldo. In Novezzina, botanical and geological themes therefore come together.

Starry Skies and History

The Osservatorio Astronomico Monte Baldo “A.Gelodi” is the only public observatory in the Province of Verona. It belongs to the municipality of Ferrara di Monte Baldo and is operated by the Circolo Astrofili Veronesi. The Osservatorio Astronomico Monte Baldo “Angelo Gelodi” is located in Località Novezzina, 37020 Ferrara di Monte Baldo. Public evenings usually begin with a short astronomical lecture and continue with a visit to the rooms and instruments. In suitable weather, it is also possible to identify the main constellations and make observations with telescopes.

The parish church of Santa Caterina d’Alessandria also reaches far back into the history of the area. Its present form dates from 1870 to 1888. As early as 1218, the church was mentioned in a papal bull as a chapel subordinate to the Pieve of Caprino. Numerous trenches and fortifications in the area also recall the First World War; among them, the Sentiero di Caval di Novezza is still visible.

Hiking Routes with Different Themes

The paths have different focuses. The F1 hiking route begins at Piazza Generale A. Cantore in Ferrara di Monte Baldo and leads to Contrada Mezzavilla and the historic settlement of Campedello. Through Baldo Val d’Adige’s mountain-bike offering, it is connected as the “Ferrara di M.B. / Mezzavilla / Campedello” route.

Route F3 begins at Piazza General Cantore, follows CAI Trail 674 and continues to Malga Orsa. Route F4 starts in Novezza and leads to the first line of First World War trenches at Cavallo di Novezza. The F2 loop passes through the centre of the Hortus Europe, introduces visitors to botanical rarities and conveys the way of life on the mountain pastures, along with their typical architecture.

For a more peaceful kind of stay, there is the Bosco di Monte Cor. The forest is located in the municipality of Ferrara di Monte Baldo and is the first forest in Veneto to be certified for forest therapy. Its main path is easy and mostly flat. Optionally, it can be extended as a loop to viewpoints offering spectacular views over the Val d’Adige.

Further Destinations

For more destinations to help you plan your individual trip, visit Bovolone, Bernardine, Braga, Martella, Stra, Selva Di Progno, Cologna Veneta and Castello.

For the higher-level travel overview: Verona.