Arquà Petrarca is one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. In the XIV it was the most populated village in the area and that is why the noble family of Carraresi chose it to become the perfect location for its amministration affairs.
The special guest is certainly the famous poet Francesco Petrarca. The small village took his name because the poet decided to remain most of his life in it and that is why Arquà petrarca preserves his spoils.
Nowadays Arquà Petrarca is tutelated from the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills and it is the best destination for people who love walking, culture, nature, history and good cuisine.
A must see is the house of Francesco Petrarca, who hosted the poet in the last years of his life. Now the structure has become a visitable museum, entirely dedicated to its illustrious owner. All guests of our structure will be able to enter the museum at a reduced price.
Colli Euganei: trails & sports
The Euganean Hills offer a large number of trails and excursions for those who, even on vacation, do not want to stay still. The area, protected by the Euganean Hills Regional Park, offers marked trails with various levels of difficulty, suitable for beginners, families and expert walkers.
Colli Euganei: history & culture
For history and culture lovers, the Euganean Hills offer a multitude of Venetian villas, castles and towns with medieval origins immersed in the wonderful surrounding hilly setting.
Gourmets and connoisseurs can only be pleasantly surprised by the vast choice of typical foods and wines that the Euganean Hills area has to offer.
At the entrance of Arquà, there is Santa Maria Assunta Church, the place where the famous poet’s funeral was celebrated. On the churchyard there is Petrarca’s grave with his verses impressed.
If you have children you have to visit “the sword in the stone”, few minutes walking from the city centre. This is a euganean readjustment from the famous legend. In fact, the sword presents latin verses for Laura, Petrarca’s beloved one.
Another unmissable place is “della Costa Lake”, the most important archaeological naturalistic site of the Euganean Hills, recognized by Unesco.
More places to see in Arquà Petrarca: there are natural beauties as hiking trails and walks for every kind of people, for example Sentiero Atestino or Pianoro del Mottolone, one of the most romantic path of the area.
Every year, the first two Sundays of October Arquà Petrarca comes back to its medieval origins in the Giuggiola’s festival, in which you can taste a large variety of products based on the typical giuggiola fruit.
Novello Oil’s festival take place the third Sunday of November. It is the perfect place to enjoy and taste different kind of local olive oils. There is also a challenge between local producers to elect the best olive oil of Arquà.
Close to Borgo Petrarca there is Sentiero Atestino, a walking ring that circumnavigates a specific area of the Euganean Hills, passing through Pianoro del Mottolone; Monte Fasolo with its path through the almond trees (better to do during spring time just to see the flowers); Monte Venda and its path through the wood full of chestnut trees, having a break at the Anfiteatro, natural location for concerts and summer events. For advanced walkers we recommend an articulated path which brings to the ruins of the Olivetani’s Hermitage in Monte Venda: an effort that worth seeing the view!
For those who prefer bike rentals, there is a 64-km cycle ring that surrounds the Regional Park of Eugeanean Hills. The itinerary is rich of points of interest and it can be acrossed clockwise or counterclockwise, there are also many deviations.
For the ones who like golf, there are three golf areas: Frassanelle Golf Club in Rovolon, Montecchia Golf in Selvazzano and Terme Golf in Galzignano.
Some examples
So visit the website of the Euganean Hills Regional Park to discover the tracks and beauties of this area
Some examples of enchanting places to visit? The Majestic Villa dei Vescovi in Luvigliano Torreglia, near Monte Pirio; the marvellous Villa Beatrice D’Este, become a naturalistic museum close to Baone and the ancient Villa Barbarigo in which it is possible to venture inside the magic maze of ancient trees.
You should also get a walk through Monselice citycentre and visit the seven churches path, a panoramic point of view. Another unmissable stop is Catajo Castle, called “Reggia dei Colli Euganei” because of its majesty, situated in Battaglia Terme, reachable also by bike. We suggest also a walk throught the cities of Este and Montagnana, little medieval villages in which you can find the ancient environment of MiddleAge.
First of all the famous “giuggiole”, typical product of Arquà Petrarca, from which it is possible to obtain delightful jam, a tasting ice cream, the famous spirit “Brodo di Giuggiole” and more else. You need to try the euganean spritz, a typical regional happy hour revisited by Arquà Petrarca. Another typical product is DOP olive oil. Close to Arquà there are other appreciated products like Montagnana’s ham and Pernumia’s asparagus.
In Veneto there is always a bottle of wine to match the food. Some examples are Serprino wine with its sparkling and dry taste, Moscato and Fiori d’Arancia and a rich variety of red wines. There are many wineries ready to welcome you!
Euganean Hills are very close to some cultural cities as Padova, famous for Basilica di Sant’Antonio, Prato della Valle and Scrovegni Chapel’s frescoes realized by Giotto, which joined Unesco heritage in 2021.
One of the most famous cities in the world for Basilica di San Marco is Venice and it is only 40 minutes far by train.
The magical Verona is only 1 hour far by car. There are many places of interests as Romeo and Giulietta’s house and Arena, place of huge events and concerts.
Other interesting cities are Vicenza, surrounded by Berici hills and Treviso with Valdobbiadene hills, from where it is obtained the famous Prosecco wine.
Helping guests is part of Borgo Petrarca’s mission.
This is why, for any questions or information, do not hesitate to contact us.
