Preara-Moraro-Levà Nord: History, Nature and Local Character

Preara-Moraro-Levà Nord reveals its character through several distinctive places and themes. The Chiesetta di San Pietro in Castelvecchio combines Romanesque-Ravennate sacred architecture with a fresco frieze depicting the twelve Apostles. The Sentiero dei Nievo passes through woodland and along a stream, while La Bastia, Villa Tretti and the British military cemetery reveal different traces of history.

Architecture and History at the Chiesetta

The Chiesetta di San Pietro in Castelvecchio stands on a hill where an episcopal castle was built. This castle was destroyed in 1313 during an incursion by the Paduans. The Chiesetta itself was built in the 12th century in the Romanesque-Ravennate style. Along the upper inner side of its surrounding walls runs a continuous fresco frieze from the early 16th century depicting the twelve Apostles.

La Bastia and Historic Villas

La Bastia is a building complex on a very steep slope. Its name recalls an old castle that the Scaligeri built on the hilltop. The castle associated with La Bastia was captured and set on fire on the night of 2 July 1386 by troops under Arcoano Buzzaccarini, the Podestà of Bassano serving the Carraresi; shortly afterwards, Antonio della Scala had it demolished down to its foundations. The south-facing Neoclassical façade of the villa at La Bastia was built by Stefano Nievo at the beginning of the 17th century and is divided by five Doric intercolumniations. Preara is also home to Villa Tretti, a 17th-century building with a portico of arches in a shallow segmental-arch shape.

A Place of Remembrance in Preara

The British military cemetery in Preara contains the graves of 438 British military personnel and one Indian civilian. The cemetery acquired its present design after the end of the First World War. It is continuously visited by people from all over the world who come to remember the places where their distant relatives died.

Woodland, Stream and Seasonal Blossoms

The Sentiero dei Nievo passes through the woodland along the course of the Erbizo stream; farther uphill, the stream is fed by a spring that flows year-round. Primroses are already in bloom in the valley from the end of January, and in spring the blossoms of the white wood anemone cover the banks of the stream. The valley is rich in wild-growing plants and is home to various bird species, including magpies and green woodpeckers.

Local Cuisine and Linguistic Traces

A culinary speciality is “Quaja al speo e poènta onta” – quail roasted on a spit with fried polenta; the dish is regarded as a traditional local speciality. The “priara de Saccardo” gave the Preara district its name.

Further Destinations for Orientation

For further orientation, you can also explore Isola Vicentina, Enego, Lovolo, Valli Del Pasubio, Arcugnano, Arsiero, Vicenza and San Vito Di Leguzzano.

For the overarching travel overview: Vicenza.