In the heart of the Veneto Region
Tretto is a hilly/mountainous district north of Schio, which is characterized by its scenic qualities as well as the presence of numerous small hamlets, situated in an undoubtedly interesting rural territory rich in tradition and nature.
The TerritoryThe name Tretto is most likely derived from the Medieval Latin term “Tretum”, or “sentiero”, which means path, to indicate an area where an infinite number of trails and mule paths are woven, connecting the Vicentina Plains to the green meadows of Novegno, the solid mountain that rises to form the highlands of the Veneto Pre-Alps and the Little Dolomites.
The mountain area is undoubtedly one of the principle centers of attraction of the area, not only for its abundance of natural scenery and the infinite variety of flora and fauna, but also for being an important site during the First World War, for both tragedies and epic events which are still visible in the territory.
On the hills and within the most hidden valleys one finds many villages that still conserve their secrets of an ancient farming civilization, which has mixed with the industrial culture of nearby Schio, a city which from the time of the Roman Empire was considered an important crossroads of communication between the Veneto Plains and the valleys of the Eastern Alps. The old ‘Fabbrica Alta’ – ‘High Factory’ is the most representative monument of the entrepreneurial calling of the city, a reason why even today it is considered the architectural capital of industrial Italy.
The Tretto plateau is about 20 kilometers from the capital of the province, Vicenza, Vicenza, whose collection of scenic and architectural monuments has won the city a place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, as well as the villa of Andrea Palladio.
However the whole area offers many more touristic sites not necessarily linked to artistic aspects, including the wine and food tourism (the wine itineraries), thermal baths (Recoaro Terme), sports (Asiago and skiing), religious (Monte Berico), industrial (Schio) and much more, without considering the fact that in no time at all one can reach cities such as Verona, Padua, Treviso and Venice.
