Longare – Architectural History, Caves and Climbing Crags

There are several different ways to plan a trip to Longare: historic buildings, the caves near Lumignano, climbing crags and the Bisi di Lumignano. If you are looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes matters most for your stay.

Buildings and Religious History

The Eremo di San Cassiano is a 17th-century building that incorporates a church dating back about a thousand years earlier. Graves carved into the rock are still visible there. The hermitage can only be reached on foot via a path that runs along the cliffs of Lumignano.

The Benedictine parish church of Pieve di San Mauro Abate is also associated with a striking setting: it stands on a rocky spur and is one of the oldest religious foundations in the Vicenza area.

Villa Eolia was built in the second half of the 16th century by Count Francesco Trento as a pavilion and home of the Accademia Eolica. Palladio described the villa in 1570 in the second book of the Quattro libri dell’architettura. Among its distinctive architectural features is a fine, openwork octagonal stone screen. Tempered air from the mountain caves can rise through underground passages and pass through it.

Caves, Climbing and Trails

The Covoli dei Berici are natural caves in the limestone cliffs behind Lumignano. They were used from the Upper and Middle Palaeolithic through to the second half of the 20th century. The rock openings served as settlements, fortified refuges, hermitages and shelters for domestic animals. Their various uses show how the role of the caves changed over a long period.

The climbing crags of Lumignano were already used by mountaineers in 1920 to prepare for ascents in the Dolomites and are now internationally recognised as a sport-climbing benchmark. There are 30 designated new routes for adults and 15 for children. These numbers may change as the climbing area is updated.

Climbing is prohibited on 21 routes on the south face and 32 routes on the west face of Dente di Lumignano. The affected area is to the left of “CLASSICA”. Check these restrictions immediately before climbing.

The Sentiero del Monte Brosimo starts and ends at Piazza da Schio in Costozza.

The site of the former Ex Cava Volto di Costozza quarry hosts events and visits. It also serves as an experimental project for restoring natural habitats and enhancing their educational and ecological value. Check the events programme and access rules before your trip.

A Local Product

Since 2008, the Municipality of Longare has recognised “Bisi di Lumignano” as a typical local product under its DECO scheme. During production, warmth stored by the surrounding cliffs makes an exceptionally early start possible. This local product tradition adds another perspective on Longare alongside its buildings and landscapes.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

Different interests can shape your plans: Villa Eolia, the hermitage and the Pieve offer a reason to explore architectural and religious history, while the Covoli connect the rocky landscape with a long history of human use. When climbing, take note of both the designated number of routes and the prohibitions at Dente di Lumignano. If you are looking for a hotel in Longare, these themes can help you decide what your trip is about.

Discover more destinations: Grumolo Delle Abbadesse, Bosco di Tretto, Roana, Malo, Lovolo, Cornedo Vicentino, Albettone, San Giorgio Di Perlena

Go to the regional travel overview: Vicenza.