Veneto is a land of storm tourism (just think of Venice) but also of visits to the hinterland where philosophy is slow. The village of Asolo is included in the well-known list of most beautiful villages in Italy. It is located on gentle slopes between the Brenta river, the Treviso plain and the Pre-Alps. An area rich in history and culture where you can stroll endlessly.
From prehistoric men to illustrious writers
The name of Asolo seems to have been given to it by the hills on which it rests. The ancient name, Acelum, it would derive from a term that in ancient times meant "sharp, pointed", referring to the top of the hills. Even before it had a name, however, Asolo was frequented by prehistoric nomads which have left several traces of their passage on the site. Among these there are also bones belonging to a female mammoth dating back to about 35 thousand years ago.
Leaving prehistoric times, Asolo continues to be inhabited. An important development can be counted thanks to the roman domain starting from 59 BC, when the Latins join the already present citizenship of the Paleovenetians. His control then passed from hand to hand until the long domination of Most Serene Republic of Venice. From the nineteenth century in particular it has been populated by illustrious citizens, poets, writers and foreign artists such as Robert Browning, Eugene Benson, Gianfrancesco Malipiero and Freya Stark who find their ideal place of life there.
The "hundred horizons" of Asolo
Among the many who have praised the beauty of the town there is also the poet Giosuè Carducci, which he called Asolo "the village of a hundred horizons". This is because from its privileged position, Asolo turns its gaze towards the Treviso plain as far as the lagoon. In perfect weather conditions you could even see the Venice islands. You can also see the profiles of the Hills Berici and the Euganean Hills in the Padua area, while towards the north you can admire the Prealps and in particular the Monte Grappa massif. Asolo is located in 190 meters above sea level and from every angle you can enjoy a beautiful view, but for a spectacular panorama we recommend the top of the civic tower and, when it reopens to the public after the restoration, the medieval fortress. As the great German poet Goethe said, to get to know a city you must also look at it from above!
Beauty and slowness
In Asolo you can enjoy a slow visit. A walk through the streets of the historic center, a visit to the rich museum, an aperitif in the square admiring the flowered balconies and a meal with a view. It was the British writer Robert Browning who coined the term "buttonhole”, Right here in Asolo, which indicates a kind of stroll peacefully surrounded by beauty.
In fact, two steps are always recommended and while walking you can visit Cathedral (which also boasts an altarpiece by maestro Lorenzo Lotto) and the small churches of Sant'Anna, Santa Caterina and San Gottardo. At civic Museum you can learn about the archaeological history of the village, admire paintings and paintings (including two capricci by Bernardo Bellotto and two marble works by Antonio Canova) and the rooms dedicated to the three most important women who lived in Asolo. They are Caterina Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus, the theater actress Eleonora Duse and the English explorer Freya Stark.
Surroundings of Asolo
If you want to take a weekend in Asolo, there are many places in its immediate surroundings that are absolutely worth a visit. First of all, the two Palladian villas: Villa Emo to Fanzolo di Vedelago (15 minutes by car) e villa barbaro to Maser (5 minutes by car), which is also Unesco heritage. Also a 15-minute drive will take you to Bassano del Grappa, a gem at the foot of the Monte Grappa massif, or Castelfranco Veneto, a splendid town that was the birthplace of the painter Giorgione (and you can also visit the house museum). Asolo is located in a rural area devoted to the cultivation of vines. From the hills of Asolo extend to the east Prosecco hills up to the towns of Valdobiadene and Conegliano. The ideal in these places is a bike ride: an aperitif with a glass of Prosecco is a must, perhaps accompanied by other local products.
