E7 - The landscapes of Palladio

The masterpieces of Andrea Palladio mark the beginning of an itinerary that leads from the heart of Vicenza towards the peaceful countryside of Berica. Visitors can explore the charming landscape which has many surviving traces of rural life and stunning scenery. The cycle path of the Berica Riviera begins near Arco delle Scalette and, after a brief stretch, Villa Capra Valmarana "la Rotonda" - one of Palladio's masterpieces - appears on the top of a hill. It is definitely worth making a brief detour to visit the monument and explore the "Valley of Silence", a rural Eden on the slopes of Mount Berico. Once you have returned to the cycle path, you can cycle to the hamlet of Longara, from where there is a detour along minor roads towards Lake Fimon. The surrounding area is marked by the gentle profiles of the Berici Hills. After cycling around the shores of the lake, going up towards Arcugnano stunning views can be enjoyed. After the Museum of the Risorgimento and the Resistance, the path comes to the Sanctuary of Mount Berico, which contains a heritage of works of art with a strongly religious and devotional character. The Sanctuary overlooks Vittoria square, from where beautiful views of Vicenza can be admired from above, scanning the horizon to admire the beautiful mountains near Vicenza, from the Small Dolomites to the Asiago Plateau, culminating in Mount Grappa.