Contarine Tour

A journey through history and nature

This loop route starts from the heart of Arquà Petrarca and crosses panoramically the ridges of the Castello and Bignago Mountains, then descending to the valley plain of the Contarine. The itinerary continues skirting the eastern slope of Monte Cecilia, then returning to the village through the picturesque valley leading to the house of the Poet.

The walk is easy and varied, with slightly uphill stretches and scenic descents, immersed in a landscape that alternates between olive groves, downy oak forests and ancient link roads.

The route in detail

Departure from Piazzetta San Marco

We start from the San Marco Square, crossing the arches of the formerly covered Loggia dei Vicari, which still preserves the stemmas of the Paduan nobles who ruled the Vicariate for the Republic of Venice.

Having passed the short churchyard next to the bell tower of the Oratory of the Holy Trinity, one begins to climb along Via Montecastello.

The scenic ridge

Flanking the staircase, you take a viottolo that crosses a narrow strip between the back of an old dwelling and the hillside.

After a few steps, the view opens onto the lower part of Arquà Petrarca, revealing striking glimpses of:

• The Parish, with its beautiful churchyard
.
• The Osteria del Guerriero, overlooking the square
• The Palazzo Contarini, an elegant 15th-century building in Venetian Gothic style

Descent to the Piana delle Contarine

The trail now begins to descend, crossing a mixed forest with:

• Robinia pseudoacacia (locust tree)
.
• Crataegus monogyna (hawthorn)
.
• Ligustrum vulgare (privet)

It comes out near the Provincial Road, in front of the Serena Restaurant, where there is a votive chapel dedicated to St. Anthony.

Panorama over the Limestone Quarry

Walking along the slope of Monte Cecilia, one arrives at a viewing terrace overlooking a limestone quarry, once used for quarrying building stone.

From here there is an exceptional view of:

• The Rich Mountain
.
• The great Hollow of the Blackberries
.
• The ancient medieval fortresses of Monte Cinto, Cecilia and Calaone

The return through the valley of the Comezzara

Crossing the plain between Monte Bignago and Monte Cecilia, we take the ancient Via Comezzara, admiring glimpses of the Monte Ricco and the Monte Castello.

After passing a rustic courtyard, you reach the Pechéte area, where you can observe an outcrop of latite, a volcanic rock.

The itinerary ends at the Piazzetta San Marco, passing in front of the House of Petrarch, with a last glance at the balcony from which the poet admired the landscape of the Euganean Hills.

Why choose this itinerary?

• Easy route suitable for everyone
• History and nature in one path
• Panoramic view of the Monselice plain and ancient medieval fortresses
• Through olive groves, woods and ancient roads