SHARRYLAND
Where is
What it is and where it is
In the magical setting of the Euganean Hills in the province of Padua, on the slopes of Monte Alto, stands white and solitary on a verdant rise, Villa Draghi. From the road, it is impossible not to notice it: its neo-Gothic style and white color amid the dense green of the surrounding bush inevitably catch the eye. Several nature trails depart from here, catapulting the visitor from the chaotic noise of city traffic to an isolated, quiet wooded environment in a matter of moments.The hike, of medium difficulty, goes from the parking lot of Villa Draghi to the Refosco bettola, a characteristic tavern where you can enjoy typical Euganean Hills dishes and wines. It lasts about 2 1/2 hours in total and is characterized by a route that is not always well marked although very intuitive, among paths surrounded by greenery, private agricultural areas and natural belvederes. Those who are curious and love adventure and exploration can venture out on their own: it is impossible to get lost despite the forks but, to fully enjoy this experience, it would be best to be accompanied by a local person.
A bit of history
Villa Draghi was founded around the 1600s as the holiday home of a wealthy Venetian accountant, Alvise Lucadello. Abandoned, sold, rebuilt, and stripped over the centuries by various owners, it now has nothing inside of its ancient furnishings and decorations. In the large parking lot below, however, are some rustic cottages that house the International Museum of Art Glass and Spa.
Old Quarry. During the hike, at one of the several forks leading to the Refosco bettola, there is the old abandoned quarry used for the extraction of perlite, a type of volcanic rock in which the Euganean Hills are rich. Very impressive are the abandoned buildings adjacent to the quarry, once used for processing and extracting the rocks. Not far away is the hovel with the siren that warned quarry workers of any impending explosion. A rock-cut tunnel, used during World War II as a bomb shelter and now used as a woodshed by local loggers, serves as a cameo.
Curiosities
The fauna of the Euganean Hills is very rich: small mammals (hares, foxes, badgers, stone martens, weasels), reptiles (snakes, lizards), amphibians and birds (hawks, stone martens, quail, pheasants) and even a rare local tortoise (the European marsh tortoise). Recently there has also been a massive proliferation of wild boars.
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