Selva Di Progno between Lessinia Trails and Cimbrian Culture

Trails and Landscapes of Lessinia

Selva Di Progno can be explored through two major themes: trails through Lessinia and Cimbrian culture. Forests, meadows, and contrade also shape the landscape of central Lessinia; museums, festivals, and landscape features provide further points of interest for planning your trip.

Hiking between Coppice Forest and Meadows

Sentiero No. 290 connects Selva di Progno with Campofontana, the municipality’s higher-lying hamlet. Its lower section passes through coppice forest, while the upper section follows a path through open meadows with panoramic views. The trail begins at the church of Selva di Progno, climbs through meadows, and then enters the forest. CAI trail No. 252, “Dorsale bassa della Lessinia,” runs via Museo di Bolca, San Bortolo, Selva di Progno, Velo Veronese, Roverè Veronese, Corbiolo, Bivio Portello, and Ponte di Veja. Trail 250, “Dorsale alta della Lessinia,” begins in Giazza near the church.

Forests, Peaks, and Landforms

The part of the Foresta di Giazza belonging to the municipality of Selva di Progno lies within the Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia. The Foresta di Giazza covers approximately 1,904 hectares. Corno Barila is a landform classified as a mountain in the immediate vicinity of Selva di Progno. Monte Telegrafo and Monte Porto are also peaks in the immediate vicinity; Cima di Lobbia is a peak in the area around Selva di Progno. In the wider regional surroundings of Selva di Progno are Monte Bolca, a landform classified as an ancient site, the “Castello” Punto panoramico viewpoint, Castello d'Arzignano Castle, and the Sala dei Fossili museum.

Cimbrian Culture and Museums

The Centro di cultura Cimbra Museo dei Cimbri documents the culture and customs of the Cimbrian population through traditional tools and equipment, as well as folk art and traditional handicraft objects. The Museo dei Trombini documents the Cimbrian tradition of firing trombini and displays historical examples. The Museo dei Trombini della Lessinia explains the manufacturing process of trombini and displays tools formerly used to make them. In the village of Giazza, there is an ethnographic museum about the Cimbrian population and a documentation centre that organises annual demonstrations and courses for people who wish to learn the Cimbrian language.

Festivals, Religious Art, and Special Places

The Sagra dell’Assunta takes place annually in Selva di Progno in mid-August. At the beginning of October, the Fiera del Derlo takes place there, also known as the Fiera della Gerla. A derlo was formerly a handwoven, conical wooden basket used to carry work materials or agricultural produce on one’s back. In Giazza, the Festival of Fire renews the ancient customs of the Cimbri through reenactments, music, fire shows, and the lighting of 13 fires. The Madonna della Lobbia is considered the most famous and moving religious artwork of the Montagna Veronese. The Presepe Natalizio in San Bortolo delle Montagne is created by the local youth group of the Gruppo del Presepe.

The Casa Museo Ferrazzetta illustrates the work of a Franciscan missionary who served as a missionary in an African country from 1955 until his death in 1999. At the Falesia del Monte Torla climbing wall, there is a climbing route called EGANO with a difficulty grade of 5A and a length of 15 m.

When choosing accommodation in Selva di Progno, you can weigh your travel interests: trails such as Sentiero No. 290 and the two CAI trails, landscapes such as the Foresta di Giazza, or museums and festivals of Cimbrian culture lead to different focal points for your planning.

More Places for Planning Your Trip

Marciaga, Rivoli Veronese, Arbizzano-Santa Maria, Bevilacqua, Mazzano, Zevio, Villafranca Di Verona, Roveré Veronese

For the higher-level travel overview: Verona.