Vulcano: Sarcedo’s Villas, Hills and Trails

Vulcano is a district of the municipality of Sarcedo in the Province of Vicenza.

Landscape and Villas in Sarcedo

The municipality of Sarcedo includes fertile hills at the edge of the Prealps and some flat terrain. The Astico River forms its eastern boundary. Both hilly and flatter terrain are therefore part of the municipality’s landscape.

Villa Tretti stands on Bodo Hill, on the site of the former castle of Sarcedo. The castle was destroyed in the 14th century during the conflict between the Scaligeri and Carraresi over control of the area. The villa was built in 1884, is surrounded by a park, and offers views across the landscape towards Thiene. Architecturally, it is inspired by neoclassicism. Thus, the history of the former castle site and a 19th-century villa come together here.

Villa Capra Bassani was built in 1764 by the architect Count Orazio Capra. It is neoclassical and strongly inspired by Palladian architecture. Like Villa Tretti, it combines neoclassical forms with its own architectural history; in Villa Capra Bassani’s case, Palladian influence is an additional feature.

Villa Zironda, also known as Ca’ Dotta, dates from the mid-15th century and was extended in 1891. Its features include old windows with Gothic arches. Villa Ca’ Dotta houses a multimedia lab and an educational center. Health promotion programs in the form of multimedia learning labs are intended for children and young people aged 11 to 19, as well as parents, teachers, and education professionals.

Villa Saugo Belmonte stands at the summit of Belmonte Hill and offers panoramic views. Villa Franzan al Barcon represents a different historical period: it was built in the 1660s and 1670s and served as the summer residence of the Collegio delle Dame Inglesi di Vicenza from 1876 to 1907.

Trails and Routes in Sarcedo

The Anello Ca’Bosa – Villa di Bodo is a paved circular route. It runs from the western agricultural area up Bodo Hill and through the countryside. The route is suitable for walking, running, and cycling.

Another route in Sarcedo is eight kilometers long and runs through the surrounding hills and countryside. The old church of San Pietro di Bodo lies along it. The route therefore passes a specific historic building.

The Via dei Cogoli – Via Costa – via Colombara section is almost entirely paved. It connects Zugliano to the center of Sarcedo via the Cogoli high ground and is suitable for walking, running, and cycling. Strada della Ca’Terza offers a different kind of route: it is short, unpaved, and runs between cultivated fields, with views of the hills of Sarcedo.

The options differ mainly in their form: a paved circular route, an almost entirely paved connecting section, or a short unpaved path between fields. If you would like to discover other destinations, you can also visit Recoaro Terme, Gambugliano, Villaganzerla, and Brogliano.

For the main travel overview: Vicenza.