Pescantina
Welcome to Pescantina!
Hello everyone! Today I will talk to you about Pescantina, a Venetian municipality located about 12 kilometers from Verona. It seems that this territory was romanized thanks to the construction of the Via Claudia Augusta, and according to some historical sources, an important battle between the militias of Stilicho and the Visigoths of Alaric also took place here. But let's fast forward to nowadays: Pescantina is a municipality with around 17,000 inhabitants, and it consists of five fractions: Arcé, Balconi, Ospedaletto, Santa Lucia, and Settimo. The territory of Pescantina is flat and foothill, with an average altitude of 80 meters above sea level, and borders San Pietro in Cariano, Verona, Pastrengo, Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella, and Bussolengo, separated from the latter by the Adige River. Let's discover more about the geography of this municipality!
Physical geography
Territory
Pescantina is located on the banks of the Adige River, and stretches for about 9 kilometers north-south, and for 3 kilometers from east to west, from the border with Verona to the fraction of Ospedaletto. The territory is mainly composed of clayey and siliceous soil.
Valpolicella
Pescantina is part of Valpolicella, a beautiful hilly area famous for the production of fine wines. The southern border of this area is constituted precisely by the Adige River, which crosses the territory of Pescantina. If you are wine lovers, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit this area!
History
From the origins to today
The origins of Pescantina date back to very ancient times, and the town has a very interesting history. During the Middle Ages, the fractions of Arcé, S. Lucia, Settimo, and Pescantina were part of the "vallis provinianensis," one of the two areas in which the territory of Valpolicella was divided. During the Venetian rule, Pescantina became part of the Vicariate of Valpolicella, with its own statute and headquarters in San Pietro in Cariano. During this period, activities related to trade on the Adige River developed, bringing prosperity to the town. During the Verona Easter of 1797, the inhabitants of Pescantina refused to surrender their boats to the French who wanted to cross the Adige, thus blocking the advance of the enemy troops. During the two world wars, many young people from Pescantina died for their country, as can be seen from the monuments to the Fallen in Piazza San Rocco and in Settimo. After World War II, the town became the landing place for many Italians who had been interned in Nazi camps and who managed to return home. From the 1980s onwards, Pescantina has grown a lot in terms of population and the tertiary sector, but the primary sector, in particular the cultivation of Vitis vinifera and Prunus persica, is still very important for the town's economy.
Culture and traditions
Festivals and events
Pescantina is a very lively and active municipality, with many festivals and events throughout the year. The patronal festivals are very felt by the inhabitants, and in particular that of Santa Lucia in December. During the summer, there are then the festivals in the square and concerts, which attract many people from all over the area.
Art and architecture
From an artistic and architectural point of view, Pescantina has much to offer. The parish church of San Rocco, with its brick bell tower, is an example of Baroque religious architecture. Even the church of Santa Lucia, small and modest, is very interesting. The old villas characterize the fractions of Arcé and Ospedaletto, in particular Villa Serego, Villa Rizzardi, and Villa Albertini.
What to see
The Adige River
The Adige River is one of the most beautiful stretches of Pescantina, and offers many opportunities for a walk in contact with nature. Along the banks of the river, you can take walks or bike rides, and in summer the equipped beaches are the ideal place for those looking for relaxation and fun.
Valpolicella
As we said, Pescantina is part of Valpolicella, a very beautiful hilly area rich in vineyards and ancient villages. For wine lovers, there are many wineries that can be visited to taste the fine local wines.
Wine Cellars
If you are passionate about the world of wine, you cannot miss a visit to the wine cellars of the area. Many producers will let you discover the tastes and aromas of Valpolicella wines, and you can buy bottles to take home as souvenirs.
Villages and small towns
Not only Valpolicella but the surrounding towns are also wonderful. In particular, San Pietro in Cariano and Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella are worth a visit, with their small ancient villages and beautiful churches.
Until next time, we hope to have intrigued you enough to make you come to Pescantina to discover everything that this municipality has to offer!
