Pernumia – Culture, History and Asparagus Traditions
Accommodation in Pernumia
Pernumia brings together ecclesiastical, literary and aristocratic history with local asparagus culture and cycling. Travellers looking for a hotel in Pernumia can shape their trip around these different themes. The town’s heritage ranges from a parish church dating to the 5th or 6th century and the architectural history of a villa to an asparagus festival held in 2024.
Villa and garden: the history of their construction and use
Villa Maldura Grifalconi Bonacossi was built in the first half of the 18th century at the instigation of Alvise Grifalconi. It was sold to the Maldura family in 1721, and they made it their country residence. The construction phase and its later use as a country residence thus represent different periods in the villa’s history. The Maldura family also landscaped the park and decorated it with statues made of soft stone. The estate included greenhouses and an orangery intended for a collection of plants that was also to include specimens from abroad. The garden, its plants and statues are therefore just as much a part of the villa’s history as its construction and later use.
Churches and historic sites
The Chiesa di Santa Giustina in Pernumia is one of the oldest parish churches in the Diocese of Padua. During its restoration in 1998, the remains of the original parish church were discovered; they date to the 5th or 6th century. Fragments of valuable 15th-century frescoes have been preserved in the Oratorio della Santissima TrinitĂ . Another ecclesiastical trace leads to the former Ospitale della TrinitĂ : its adjoining chapel is the only part that remains. These three sites thus point to different aspects of religious and architectural history.
Literary and medieval connections also shape Pernumia’s history. The town is considered the birthplace of the playwright Angelo Beolco, known as Ruzante. Casa del Ruzante is a private home reconstructed based on the original design of the playwright’s house. Ca' di Dio, also known as Casa del Capitano, is a medieval building that once served as the headquarters of the Paduan guard. The names and former functions each offer a distinct clue to the historic significance of these buildings.
Asparagus and local connections
The Festa dell’Asparago di Pernumia took place from 24 to 28 April 2024 and was announced as the traditional annual festival celebrating the local flagship product. Dishes featuring Asparago di Pernumia as their main ingredient were served at the festival. Another connection is Asparago Bianco Padovano: the asparagus marketed by O.P. COP comes from the designated area of Monselice and Pernumia (PD) and has particularly high-quality characteristics. The festival cuisine and the product description emphasize different things: prepared dishes in one case, and the area of origin and product quality in the other.
Cycling in and around Pernumia
The “Dai Colli all’Adige” cycle route network comprises two circular routes, each about 30 kilometres long. They follow cycle paths and quiet roads; one stage heads towards Pernumia. On one bike ride, the route continued through San Pietro Viminario, Vanzo, Tribano and Pernumia to the ancient Oratorio della Santissima Trinità di Pernumia. The circular routes provide a different point of reference from the sequence of places on this ride, with their approximate length and road conditions. Together, the information offers two perspectives on cycling: the route format and the course through named places.
When looking for a hotel in Pernumia, your reason for travelling is a useful starting point: architectural and church history, asparagus culture and cycling each offer a different focus for your stay.
Discover more destinations: San Giorgio In Bosco, Baone, Sarmeola, Fontaniva, Villa Di Teolo, Sant'angelo Di Piove Di Sacco, Bovolenta, MaserĂ Di Padova
For the wider travel overview: Padua.
