Conche: Valle Millecampi, Casoni and Local History

Conche offers a variety of ways to explore the lagoon landscape and the historic surroundings of Codevigo. Those looking for accommodation in Conche can plan their stay around their own interests: the landscape of Valle Millecampi, the Casoni of Fogolana, local history or regional specialities. The journey from Padua is easy to follow.

The lagoon landscape of Valle Millecampi

Valle Millecampi is a 1,608-hectare wetland and lagoon landscape. It is included in the serial UNESCO World Heritage Site “Venice and its Lagoon”. Its water connections are also relevant to understanding the landscape: Valle Millecampi receives small freshwater inflows from the Scirocchetto Canal and the Fogolana pumping station in the hamlet of Conche.

Hikes through the open landscape of Valle Millecampi lead between winding freshwater canals, brackish-water areas and extensive salt marshes. These are regularly flooded during high water. Exploring the area is therefore particularly suited to travellers who want to experience an open landscape with changing water and shoreline areas. When planning your trip, bear in mind that the paths pass through different types of landscape.

Church history in Conche

The local history dates back to the Middle Ages: the document dated 15 March 1107 is considered the founding charter of the parish of Conche. The earlier church was rebuilt in 1645 on the left bank embankment of the Brenta under the dedication of Santa Maria della Neve. The parish of “Conche S. Maria della Neve”, also known as “S. Mariae ad Nives de Conchis”, is located at Via Vallona 73, 35020 Codevigo PD, in the hamlet of Conche.

A new three-nave parish church in the Romanesque style was consecrated on 28 November 1953. Those interested in the development of sacred architecture and the history of small towns will find in these dates a concrete connection to Conche’s past, without reducing the town’s history to a single building.

Casoni, Fogolana and film history

Another distinctive topic is the Casoni della Fogolana. Their square or rectangular floor plans, sun-dried brick walls and steeply pitched, four-sided roofs covered with reeds define the traditional appearance of this type of building. In the Fogolana area of the municipality of Codevigo, there are four Casoni that recreate typical valley dwellings, as well as an adjoining green area.

The Casone delle Sacche served as a film location for “La moglie del prete”, starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni. Several paths lead to the Casone delle Sacche by car, bicycle or on foot. You can therefore choose your mode of transport according to the type of trip you want, without reducing the different options to a single route.

Getting there and regional cuisine

From Padua, the route follows State Road 516 Padua–Chioggia through Legnaro, Piove di Sacco and Codevigo to kilometre 99. There, turn left onto the road to the hamlet of Fogolana di Conche. This guidance links the journey with the surrounding landscape without assuming a specific travel time.

In spring, trying the Asparago di Conche is recommended. The Festa dell’Asparago di Conche is also part of the regional tradition. It is organised by the Gruppo culturale di Conche and the Cooperativa agricola prodotti ortofrutticoli (C.A.P.O.) di Conche.

Other places for planning your trip

If you would like to place other towns on the same level alongside Conche, here is the direct selection: Boara Pisani, Cittadella, Megliadino San Vitale, Massanzago-Ca' Baglioni, Campodarsego, Ospedaletto Euganeo, Montagnana and Mira.

For the higher-level travel overview: Padua.