The Berici Hills are made up of limestone rock. This favored the formation of caves used in the past by man as hermitages and later as homes. They are even more special for their proximity to extraction sites of what is known worldwide as “Vicenza stone. ”
FIRST DAY
Setting off from San Gottardo dei Berici, the first stop of our tour is a quarry now transformed into the “Museum of the Stone”, guardian of ancient methods of manual extraction. This place is highly suggestive for the visitor, as it resembles the moon surface. Next to the house, lays the old keeper’s house. The house is on two levels carved inside the stone, and it is a a rare testimony of how human ingenuity can be perfectly integrated with nature. The afternoon will be completely dedicated to the discovery of the Berici hills, an almost endless hiking area, a true paradise for those who want to cycle tour, as it is full of paths to discover caves, hermitages, and unspoiled nature.
SECOND DAY
The second day of the trip includes a visit to the Villa Fracanzan-Piovene di Orgiano. The Vicenza stone was often used as a decoration of the outside of many Venetian villas. One example is Villa Fracanza-Piovene, a magnificent estate surrounded by a majestic green garden. As in the previous quarry, even in this villa it looks like time has stopped. Furnishings, ceramics, embroidered fabrics, as well as objects of daily use use such as a magnificent collection of copper pieces and kitchen utensils witness the splendor of the noble Venetian family. Floating between past, present or future, everything merges in a single instant, and it is easy to imagine yourself as part of this evocative world. The way back is a full immersion in the nature of the awesome hills. This trip is highly recommended to those who love cycling, nature, and art, and most of all to visit places which are frozen in time.
