Sarmede
Montaner: a historic village in the heart of Veneto
Montaner is a beautiful village in the municipality of Sarmede, located in the province of Treviso, in Veneto. This ancient village offers countless reasons of interest, starting from its fascinating history.
History of Montaner
Montaner represents one of the most important places in Treviso's history. This area is distinguished for having given birth to the dynasty of da Camino, who later moved to Oderzo. Subsequently, Montaner became under the rule of Venice until the fall of the Serenissima; in the 19th century it was annexed to Sarmede. The 20th century saw this area become the site of the partisan struggle during World War II and, later, of a schism.
The Schism of Montaner
In the 1960s, the schism of Montaner created a lot of problems in the religious community of the village. Upon the death of the parish priest Don Giuseppe Faè, the appointment of Don Antonio Botteon, chaplain and assistant of the deceased priest, was considered a given. However, Monsignor Albino Luciani appointed Don Giovanni Gava in his place. This choice provoked a strong reaction from the population, who after months of tension saw the bishop withdraw the Blessed Sacrament from the tabernacle of the church. Subsequently, as a protest, some dissident parishioners founded an Orthodox Christian community, which then spread to almost the entire population. This Orthodox community is still present today.
What to see in Montaner
Montaner offers many tourist attractions.
Religious architecture
The parish church of San Pancrazio, built in the second half of the 19th century and consecrated in 1892, dominates part of the village center and the plain below. It has a neoclassical style facade, tripartite by four Ionic pilasters, and it is completed by a large tympanum. Inside, there is a nave, which preserves the altar painting "San Pancrazio among the saints Rocco and Apollonia" by Antonio Dal Favero and a fresco with "The Primacy of Saint Peter," a work by Noè Bordignon.
On the right side of the Catholic church, there is a tall bell tower, with a bell cell opened by a bifora with a handrail on each side and a "onion" termination.
Just below the location where the Catholic church stands, in the Gava district, there is a square where the other important sacred place of Montaner is located: the Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord and Saint Barbara. This structure dates back to 1969, where the Byzantine rite is still celebrated today in Italian, Greek, Romanian, and Old Slavonic. The low red-plastered facade is opened by a central round arch portal, flanked by two pointed arched biforas, which characterize this Orthodox Church.
Walks and excursions
Montaner is also an excellent starting point for walks and excursions in the surrounding nature. In particular, we recommend trying the Via delle Maschere path, a six-kilometer walk that winds through woods and ancient farmhouses.
What to eat in Montaner
Montaner offers a wide choice of typical Venetian cuisine dishes. One of the most appreciated dishes is risotto with porcini mushrooms, accompanied by a glass of local red wine.
Conclusions
Montaner is a fascinating village full of history, which boasts a very interesting architectural and cultural heritage. If you are looking for a place to relax and immerse yourself in Venetian tradition, Montaner is the ideal destination for you. Come and discover all the beauties of this ancient village!
