Colognola Ai Colli: Pieve, Villas and the History of Winemaking

Colognola Ai Colli brings together several themes to explore when planning a trip: ancient land surveying, sacred art, villa architecture and the history of winemaking. Local landmarks range from the Via Postumia and gromatic cippi to frescoes, manor houses and an 18th-century cross. Hiking trails and shared routes for cyclists and pedestrians make it possible to discover villas and historic and cultural sights throughout the municipality. When planning your accommodation, these different points of interest can help shape the character of your stay.

Pieve: ancient traces and frescoes

The Santuario di Santa Maria della Pieve probably dates from the 11th or 12th century. It was built over or near a Roman temple from the Republican period dedicated to Mercury. A dedication to Mercury is still visible, set into the façade. Inside the sanctuary, a cycle of frescoes dating from the late 13th to the mid-15th century has been preserved. The Pieve thus brings together ancient associations and medieval art from different periods.

Two gromatic cippi near the Pieve are considered evidence of ancient centuriation, the systematic surveying and division of land. The Via Postumia adds a historical long-distance route to this picture: in 148 BC, it passed through the area at the foot of Monte Bissone, connecting Genoa with Aquileia via Verona. The cippi and the road represent different aspects of ancient history: land division on the one hand and long-distance connections on the other.

Churches and villas from different centuries

The parish church in Monte is dedicated to Saints Fermo and Rustico and dates from the 15th to 17th centuries. A cross from 1772, carved with symbols of the Passion of Christ, adds to the historical features associated with the church.

Villa Stagnoli Bertani – Tenuta Santa Maria alla Pieve is located very close to the ancient Pieve. The three-storey manor house, with its outbuildings and courtyard, reflects the architectural taste of the early 19th century and was expanded on a 16th-century structure. Vaulted rooms on the ground floor and a dovecote tower have been preserved. The building shows the distinction between an older structure and the 19th-century design of the manor house.

Villa Peverelli Cavalli was built on ancient castle ruins above Colognola Ai Colli. It offers a different architectural point of reference: its foundations are the remains of a castle, whereas Villa Stagnoli Bertani combines older building elements with a manor house from a later period.

Routes, winemaking and practical information

Hiking trails and shared routes for cyclists and pedestrians make it possible to discover villas and historic and cultural sights throughout the municipality. Check current route information before setting out, as route details can change. Winemaking is also part of the town’s history: it was already practiced in Colognola Ai Colli in pre-Roman times. The volcanic soil gives the wines produced there a unique complexity.

A municipal campervan parking area in Colognola Ai Colli is located on Via Nogarole, next to the car park by the football pitch. It offers free water and a drain for waste disposal. As operating details can change, check the latest information before you travel.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Volargne, Valeggio Sul Mincio, Rivoli Veronese, Bussolengo, Sorgà, Trevenzuolo, Spiazzi, Brognoligo-Costalunga

For the broader travel guide: Verona.