Pescantina

Pescantina is the gateway to the Valpolicella wine area. In the vast plain between Lake Garda and the Lessini Mountains, the village of Pescantina has extended, together with its 5 hamlets: Arcè, Balconi, Santa Lucia, Settimo and Ospedaletto. The origins of the village lie with the rise of the first Venetian peoples, of Etruscans and Gauls up to the first Roman legions, who traced the road network with the Via Claudia Augusta. The Adige in its descent into the mountains was the first vehicle of economic support of the city, to the point that the river was the main road to reach the Venetian Republic from Trentino. In fact, Pescantina was the seat of an important naval center that supplied boats to Venice and was a center for the trafficking of wood used for the construction of ships. Subsequently, with the construction of an irrigation system, the agriculture of peach orchards and vineyards developed, in fact the water was transported from the river to the fields. The hamlet of Arcè preserves the ancient church of San Michele dating back to the twelfth century, still preserves inside valuable frescoes including the effigy of the owner of the temple, the most particular aspect of the ancient church is the writing on the south door 'SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS' that is 'the farmer of a small piece of land, with his works keeps the wheels', a sacred phrase in Roman times that was invoked against animal ailments and for a good harvest. In the hamlet of Settimo there is Villa Bertoldi whose structure follows the typical architectural structures of eighteenth-century Venice. The central hall is the most particular room since there are 4 landscapes painted by Andrea Porta, in the library there are still the original furniture and a collection of ancient volumes, pride of the association that manages the property. The thermal baths of Pescantina are a source of pride for the city. The spas have very large pools, whirlpools and waterfalls, not to forget the many activities that can be done inside.