Description of the attraction
Mount Monte Berico and the Church of Santa Maria di Monte Berico. Monte Berico is, in fact, a small hill overlooking Vicenza and is part of the hilly Colli Berici chain. It is located a short distance from the historic city center. At the top is the Church of Santa Maria di Monte Berico, dedicated to the patroness of Vicenza. A little further, on the hill of Ambellikopoli, in the building of Villa Guiccioli is the Museum of the Risorgimento and the Resistance, and an English garden is laid out around the pitchfork. In front of the northern façade of the Church of Santa Maria di Monte Berico lies the Piazzale della Vittoria, which offers excellent views of the city and the northern part of the province all the way to the foothills of the Vicentine Alps. This square has been declared a national monument. You can climb to the church by the 192-step Scalette staircase, which starts from the famous Palladian Arco delle Scalette in Piazza Fraccon, or by the stairs designed by Francesco Muttoni in 1746. The total length of the steps of the latter is approximately 700 meters.
The Church of Santa Maria di Monte Berico bears the title of a minor basilica. According to legend, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared at this place twice to a peasant named Vincenzo Pasini. The first time this happened in 1426, and the second - in 1428. During those years, the territory of Veneto suffered from a terrible plague epidemic. The Virgin Mary promised that if the inhabitants of Vicenza build a church on the hill, she will save them from suffering. Residents complied with the instructions and erected the temple in just 3 months. Later, the building of the first church was turned into a sanctuary. The architect Carlo Berrello worked on his project, and the sculptor Orazio Marinali was engaged in the decorations.
Today Monte Berico is the most elegant and quiet residential area of Vicenza, located away from the noisy highways and at the same time just a few minutes drive from the city center with its developed infrastructure. The mountain slopes are dotted with villas and small cottages.
