The Berici Hills are gentle miniature mountain ridges, complete with rocky walls that can reach a hundred meters and long slopes patiently cultivated by man. Located south of the historic center of Vicenza, they reach a maximum of 445 meters above sea level, have a morphology, generally soft, with the exception of some sections, which are affected by rocky parts. Totally isolated from the Lessini Mountains to the west and the Euganean Hills to the east, the Berico relief is characterized by a somewhat harmonious and relaxed morphology, completely different from the bizarre conicity of the Euganei.
The substantial difference is that the Euganei are made up of trachyte, a type of volcanic rock, formed in underground environments, while the Berici are mainly calcareous, that is, a type of rock that was created by the slow deposition of sands and marine organisms, on the bottom of an immense lagoon.
Its climate, much more pleasant than that of the surrounding plain to the point that, in the southern part of the conformation, there is a typical vegetation of the Mediterranean areas.
All these features, together with the abundance of limestones, i.e. building stone, the spread of karst both on the surface and in the subsoil, from which numerous caves or covoli are accompanied, have made Berici hills since prehistoric times, one of the places in the Veneto more privileged by nature.
Fortunately, the exploitation by man, except in some cases, has been quite contained, indeed, in some circumstances it has enriched the landscape, through the creation of some works of art, such as the Palladio rotunda, in harmony with the territory.
This mountainous outcrop preserves inside a natural jewel of infinite beauty, Lake Fimon, which in addition to the great landscape value, its importance is linked to the unique habitat, with the presence of flora and fauna typical of wetlands and a important weekend leisure place for many people from Vicenza. This area offers sports enthusiasts many possibilities such as: cycling, trekking, climbing, fishing, horse riding and paragliding.
We cannot fail to mention the excellent cuisine, enclosed in the typical Vicenza taverns, with its wide range of typical products, such as black truffle, peas, soft ham, radicchio, beers and grappas. Dominating the landscape of the Berici Hills, already framed by woods, vineyards and olive groves, are the numerous Palladian country villas, designed and built for landowners, and above all stands the large Sanctuary of the Madonna di Monte Berico, a destination for pilgrimages from all the triveneto.
◊ THE BERICI HILLS ◊
Known as the "Covoli di Costozza", these cavities were connected with conduits to the noble villas, built in the town during the 17th... ⇒ Continue
In addition to the great landscape value, its importance is linked to the unique habitat, with the presence of flora and fauna typical of wetlands. ⇒ Continue
Its prestigious interior features halls and large dining rooms with furniture, dishes and services that... ⇒ Continue
Palladio's project immediately proved to be very ambitious, as it aimed to create an elegant and adequate country house... ⇒ Continue
Small and pretty town located on the border between the province of Verona and the green expanses of the Berici Hills. The first settlements found in the surrounding hills... ⇒ Continue
