Illasi
Welcome to Illasi, the gem of Val d'Illasi!
Hello everyone! Today I'm taking you on a journey to discover Illasi, a beautiful municipality located in the province of Verona, in Veneto. Illasi has just over 5000 inhabitants and is part of the wine cities, along with Caldiero, Colognola ai Colli and Mezzane di Sotto, within the Municipal Union called "Verona Est".
Some physical geography
Illasi is located about 22 kilometers northeast of Verona, in a strategic location at the foot of the Lessini Mountains. If you climb the green Val d'Illasi, the first village you will come across will be Illasi itself, named after the Illasi, a stream called "Progno" by the locals. Illasi borders Tregnago to the north, Cazzano di Tramigna to the east, Colognola ai Colli to the south, and Lavagno and Mezzane di Sotto to the west. Within its territory are the parishes of Illasi (dedicated to Saint George) and Cellore (dedicated to Saint Zeno Bishop).
The origin of the name Illasi
But where does the name "Illasi" come from? It seems that the name Illasi derives from the name of Illasius or Gelasius, a veteran of the Roman army, who was given a plot of land.
The history of Illasi
The territory of Illasi has been inhabited since prehistoric times and in 2007 important finds were discovered in the area of Arano, a vast necropolis dating back to the end of the 3rd millennium BC and the beginning of the 2nd millennium BC. 62 tombs were found, containing 73 individuals, and the artifacts have been defined by scholars as "one of the most significant testimonies to the funerary rites and cults practiced in northern Italy at the dawn of 2000 BC."
Stone and ceramic beads, ceramic cups with teeth, horn knobs of a dagger, copper or bronze wires, and the metal tip of a dagger were found in the tombs. Four burials are older, perhaps from the Copper Age.
What to visit in Illasi
But after these interesting historical information, let's move on to things to see in Illasi! In the historic center of the village is the church of San Giorgio, dating back to the 16th century and with beautiful interior frescoes. Also unmissable is the church of Cellore, dedicated to Saint Zeno Bishop.
Outside the historic center, in the "Le Casette" area, you will find the 'Museum of Iron', where you can admire tools and utensils from both local construction sites and workshops of the '900s.
But one of the most important attractions in Illasi is undoubtedly the Fattoria Valpantena winery. This wine cellar produces different types of wine, including the Amarone della Valpolicella, and you can visit the winery, taste their fine wines, and make purchases in the wine shop.
Finally, we cannot but mention one of the most important festivals in Illasi: the feast of Saint George Martyr, which is celebrated on April 23 and involves the whole village.
The merger between Illasi, Belfiore, Caldiero, and Colognola ai Colli
In 2014, a merger project was presented between the municipalities of Illasi, Belfiore, Caldiero, and Colognola ai Colli, with the aim of forming a large single municipality. However, for now, the four municipalities continue to exist as separate entities.
Conclusions
Illasi is a small village that offers many opportunities for history, wine, and good food lovers. Its strategic location makes it an excellent starting point for trips to the beautiful Val d'Illasi. If you have the chance, don't hesitate to visit this jewel in the heart of Veneto.
