Euganean Hills
The gentle landscapes of the Euganean Hills are one of the main attractions and tourist destinations of the paduan territory. Their peculiar skyline created by the sequence of about 100 hills of varying heights and shapes immediately catches the traveller’s eye. The hills arose during the volcanic activity in the Tertiary Era (between 30 and 40 million year ago) and are characterized by a special ecosystem, where different varieties of vegetation – from the typical Mediterranean shrublands to chestnut groves and mixed oak woods - unfold around the slopes of the hills. The Mount Venda (601 mt.) is the highest mountain and marks the centre of the hills. Protected since 1989 by the Colli Euganei Regional Park, the Euganean Hills cover nearly 20,000 hectares.
At the Euganean Spas beneficial water springing here spontaneously since the most remote times, give life to the most famous spa capital in Europe. The healing virtue of this water is the basic component of all the most modern therapeutic and beauty treatments performed in the 120 thermal hotels, where each guest is followed in a very professional and friendly way.
The Euganean Spas are surrounded by the Euganean Hills, beautiful green amphitheatre, where a fit network of walking paths leads to the discovery of enchanting landscape alternating vineyards, olive groves, woods and meadows, ancient castles, romantic villas and rural farms. The natural landscape is a great setting for outdoor activities such as golf, horse-riding, biking, jogging or simply wlaking. Keeping fit here is easy and funny!
The climate is particularly mild and allows extensive wine and oil-growing with excellent results: there are a full 13 D.O.C. (Denomination of Controlled Origin) wines including the well-known Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Serprino and Moscato Fior d’Arancio. Other typical products of the hills are honey, cheese and seasonal fruits (chestnuts, cherries, peas, and jujubes). Local feasts and village festivals celebrate these products, among them the Grape Festival, which takes place every year in September in Vo’ Euganeo.
Either by bicycle or on foot or even on horseback you will admire the Hills’rich flora, the wide extents of vineyards, meadows, olive-yards and woods and visit historical monuments and museums. Some places are ideal to observe the little inhabitants of the wood, in particular slow-worms, spotted salamanders, cuckoos, sparrow-hawks, badgers, foxes and stonemartens.
The Park counts 15 towns and villages with great natural and historical heritage. The gem of the hills is the medieval village of Arquà Petrarca, where time seems to stand still, keeping the magic of the Middle Ages intact. Its peaceful atmosphere attracted the great Italian poet Francesco Petrarca, who spent here the last years of his life.
The enchanting landscape of the hills has attracted and inspired generations of poets, writers and artists: from the provençal troubadours, who gathered at the Estensi court in the 12th century to the most important Italian and foreign writers of the past centuries such as Byron, Shelley, Foscolo, Fogazzaro and Bruce Chatwin. Following one of the numerous signposted pathways of the Parco Colli is an excellent way to discover the magic of this unique natural oasis.
The Euganean Hills are a real and true mine of wild herbs, excellent wines and oils. The area boasts thirteen D.O.C. wines, the quality carefully controlled and certified by the Consorzio Vini Colli Euganei. The area also has a long tradition of oil production. The oil here has a particularly fruity flavour and an after taste that hints of sweet almonds. Honey is produced both in the Millefiori (obtained from different types of flowers) and in the one-flower variety,in particular acacia and chestnut honey. Among the starters, the famous bigoli, especially those seasoned with duck ragout, deserve a mention. The gastronomic tradition of the Euganean Hills can be discovered through the itineraries and suggestions of the Strada del Vino Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills Wine Route Association).