Discover Velo Veronese

Velo Veronese is regarded as a balcony overlooking the Veronese plain and combines karst landscapes, historic trails and traces of Cimbrian history. If you are looking for a hotel in Velo Veronese, you can choose the character of your stay based on whether you want to focus on signposted trails, geological features, local traditions or historic sites.

Karst landscape and special viewpoints

The Covoli di Velo Veronese are classified as an oriented nature reserve within the Lessinia Regional Natural Park. Another striking site is the Covolo di Camposilvano, considered the largest karst cave in the Venetian Prealps. Its history goes back a long way: the cave was already used as a refuge at least 50,000 to 70,000 years ago and also served in Roman times for the natural storage of food. From the Museo Geopaleontologico di Camposilvano, a roughly 500-metre stairway leads to the Covolo amphitheatre. From its viewing balcony, the cave entrance can be seen. The museum is accessible by car via Via Covolo; parking is available directly in front of it. This makes it possible to combine a geological focus with a specifically described access route without equating the cave itself with a particular form of visit.

Trails through the landscape

The Legend Run route starts in the square in Velo Veronese and leads to the summit of Monte Purga. It is fully signposted. The remains of a prehistoric hillfort and a Roman fortification can be found on Monte Purga. The Festa del Monte Purga is regarded as a traditional local festival. A longer option is CAI Route No. 252, “Dorsale bassa della Lessinia”. It leads from the Museo di Bolca via Velo Veronese towards Ponte di Veja and is approximately 37.4 kilometres long. The route passes through forests, meadows and contrade from Bolca towards Peri; Velo Veronese lies along the route. Another historic connection with the landscape is offered by the MTB route “In mtb da Camposilvano alle steli di confine con il Regno del Tirolo”. It leads through the high pastures of Lessinia and to stone boundary markers between the former Republic of Venice and the Kingdom of Tyrol. Its route includes Velo Veronese, Roverè Veronese and Bosco Chiesanuova.

History, museum and local stories

Trail No. 253, “La Via Cara”, follows the upper section of the Via Cara for much of its length. This ancient transhumance route once connected the plain with the pastures of the Conca dei Pàrpari. Velo Veronese was once the capital of the 13 Cimbrian municipalities. The route “Velo Veronese – I tesori di Azzarino” also takes up this historical connection: it passes through Azzarino, a former Cimbrian municipality whose contrade, stone markers, sundials and frescoes preserve local stories. The Museo Geopaleontologico di Camposilvano displays fossils from Lessinia and beyond. The exhibition covers the development of life through different geological eras and begins with an extensive ammonite collection. The objects on display also include the remains of marine reptiles, dinosaur tracks and the complete skeleton of a cave bear, which stood more than three metres tall when upright. The Monumento ai Caduti di Velo Veronese, the memorial to those who fell in the First World War, is also part of the townscape. It was inaugurated on 18 June 1922. In local tradition, the mushroom-shaped rock in the Valle delle Sfingi is associated with an ogre and the fairy beings known as “fade”. If you would like to expand your regional selection, you can find more destinations at Badia Calavena, Mezzane Di Sotto, Sanguinetto, Rivoli Veronese, Negrar, Cologna Veneta, Settimo and Affi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Verona.