Vulcano: Landscapes and Villas in Sarcedo

Vulcano is a frazione of the municipality of Sarcedo in the Province of Vicenza. The place name refers to a part of the municipality; the landscapes, villas and trails described below are in the area of Sarcedo. This places the specific destination name within a broader geographical and cultural context.

Landscape in the municipal area

Sarcedo includes fertile hills at the start of the Prealps and some flat terrain. To the east, the municipal area is bordered by the Astico River. Hills, flatter areas and the river boundary are distinct landscape features within the municipality; they provide the setting for the trails and historic sites described here.

Villas and architectural history in Sarcedo

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 the Carraresi over control of the area. Built in 1884, the villa is surrounded by a park, enjoys a scenic location and looks out over the landscape towards Thiene. Its architecture is inspired by the Neoclassical style. This site therefore brings together the memory of a medieval castle and a 19th-century villa.

Another Neoclassical villa is Villa Capra Bassani. Count Orazio Capra had it built in 1764; its design is clearly inspired by Palladian architecture. Villa Zironda, also known as Ca’ Dotta, has older origins: it dates from the mid-15th century and was extended in 1891. Its features include old windows with Gothic arches. The three villas therefore differ both in their dates of construction and in the architectural features described.

Villa Franzan al Barcon was built in the 1660s–1670s. From 1876 to 1907, it served as the summer residence of the Collegio delle Dame Inglesi di Vicenza. This clearly defined historic use adds a specific connection to an institution in Vicenza to the architectural history of the villas.

Trails with different routes

The Anello Ca’Bosa – Villa di Bodo is a paved circular trail in Sarcedo. It runs from the agricultural area in the west up to Bodo Hill and through the countryside. The trail is suitable for hiking, running and cycling. Its circular route and the transition from agricultural land to the hill and surrounding countryside are key features for finding your way.

Another route, Via dei Cogoli – Via Costa – via Colombara, is almost entirely paved. It connects Zugliano with the centre of Sarcedo via the “Cogoli” hill and is also suitable for hiking, running and cycling. Unlike the circular trail, this route specifically runs between two named places. The routes and surfaces offer concrete differences to consider when comparing the trails described here.

The 8-kilometre trail in Sarcedo runs through the surrounding hills and countryside; the old church of San Pietro di Bodo is located along it. Strada della Ca’Terza, by contrast, is a short, unpaved trail between cultivated fields, with views of the hills of Sarcedo. These descriptions highlight different features: in one case, the distance and church; in the other, the fields, trail surface and hill views.

Villa Ca’ Dotta

Villa Ca’ Dotta in Sarcedo houses a multimedia laboratory and an educational centre. Its health promotion activities include multimedia learning workshops for children and young people aged 11 to 19, as well as for parents, teachers and education professionals. Thus, in addition to its historic name, Ca’ Dotta, the villa is also associated with education and health promotion.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bassano Del Grappa, Quinto Vicentino, Schio, Cismon del Grappa, San Benedetto, Pove Del Grappa, Campese, Tezze Sul Brenta.

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