Velo Veronese
Velo Veronese: a town immersed in nature
Dear friends, today I will talk to you about Velo Veronese, a town immersed in the nature of the province of Verona, Veneto. With its 767 inhabitants, Velo Veronese is about 30 kilometers from the city of Verona and is located almost in the center of the Lessinia plateau, in a northeast position with respect to the provincial capital.
Physical geography
The municipality of Velo Veronese borders Selva di Progno to the northeast, Badia Calavena to the southeast, San Mauro di Saline to the south, and Roverè Veronese to the west. It is located between Mount Stozè and Mount Purga, on the ridge between the Squaranto Valley and the Illasi Valley. Furthermore, Velo Veronese is the third highest municipality in the province (preceded only by Erbezzo and Bosco Chiesanuova) and is one of the most touristy locations in Lessinia.
Etymology and history
The etymology of Velo Veronese is uncertain, but it is believed to be pre-Roman and shared with Velo d'Astico in the Vicenza area. In Roman times, a small fort was built on Mount Purga, where an 19th-century chapel now stands. It is possible that during this era, the inhabited nucleus that would give rise to the town of Velo Veronese was born.
Throughout its history, the town of Velo Veronese played an important role in the Thirteen Veronese Municipalities, and Caterina Visconti created the Vicariate of the Mountain at the beginning of the 15th century. Moreover, between the 17th and 18th centuries, Velo was the seat of the Mountain District. The history of the town is fully identified with the history of the Cimbrian community, which in turn perfectly integrated into the Veronese area following its fate.
Monuments and places of interest
Among the monuments of Velo Veronese, we find the Church of San Giovanni Battista, a work by Donato di Lugo from the 16th century, which houses an octagonal red marble baptismal font from 1533. On the outside, embedded in the walls, there are some 14th and 15th-century inscriptions and equally ancient and beautiful examples of Lessinia’s folk sculpture. The church is dedicated to the veneration of St. John the Baptist, a saint particularly revered in the Cimbrian tradition.
Furthermore, there is the Church of San Carlo Borromeo, dating back to the 17th century, where it is said that the saint passed through and stayed in Camposilvano, then one of the 13 Cimbrian municipalities, on his way to the Council of Trent.
Nature and tradition
But Velo Veronese is not only history and monuments. The beauty of the territory lies mainly in its unspoiled nature. In fact, the municipality is located in the center of the Lessinia plateau, which offers visitors a wide choice of mountain hikes, walks or bike rides, and food and wine itineraries.
Moreover, the municipality of Velo Veronese is characterized by the presence of numerous hamlets, including La Ba, Alla Croce, and Al Pezzo. In the territory of the hamlet of Camposilvano (Velo Veronese) is the Valley of the Sphinxes, a valley with emerging rocks almost a kilometer long, whose true name is "le Buse" or "Bruto Valley" from the surname of the ancient owners.
Finally, the Cimbrian community has preserved and spread its culinary tradition in the area, including the delicious "schizzeta" or "skizza," a kind of focaccia filled with cheeses, cold cuts, and onions.
In short, the municipality of Velo Veronese will surely not disappoint the expectations of those who love spending time in nature and the fresh mountain air, discovering local culture and traditions.
