Free time: Asolo and the nearby cities of art
Asolo is located in a strategic spot for visiting numerous places of historic and artistic interest and is fabulously located in the hills, with one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Veneto.
Villa Cipriani is the perfect starting point to discover all facets of the Veneto: excursions to the cities of art, interesting itineraries discovering architectural masterpieces, visits, and wine-tastings at Prosecco vineyards.
Just a few kilometres away are the Gipsoteca and the Temple of Antonio Canova in Possagno, or Bassano del Grappa with its beautiful Palladian bridge. A bit further away is Marostica with its famous Chess Square where a human chess game is played every two years. Of significant architectural interest is the Brion Tomb created by Carlo Scarpa in San Vito d’Altivole.
One hour from Vicenza and Padova, a little bit more from incomparable Venice, and a half hour from Treviso, you can visit some of the most famous villas of Andrea Palladio in the area, including Villa Barbaro in Maser or Villa Emo in Fanzolo.
Immersed in the lands of Prosecco Asolo DOCG and neighbors of the Prosecco hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene - a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019 - the area offers a precious combination of cultural and gastronomic visits.
Art and Culture
Asolo has always been a place particularly appreciated and dear to artists and men of culture, and it still is to this day. Giosuè Carducci called it “the City with a hundred horizons.” The beauty and history of this city caused it to be recognised as one of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy.
Eleonora Duse stayed several times in Asolo and is buried here – at her request – in the small cemetery of Sant’Anna. It was visited by Gabriele D’Annunzio, Arturo Toscanini, and many other famous names and Robert Browning, Francesco Malipiero, and Freya Stark, among others, lived here.
There are various cultural events throughout the year.
In spring there is the International Festival of Classical Music "Malipiero Concerti", in June the Asolo Art Film Festival, in September the International Festival of Chamber Music "Incontri Asolani" and the Festival del Viaggiatore, a kermesse of cultural meetings located throughout the village with the Segafredo Zanetti Award “UN LIBRO UN FILM”, the first national award dedicated to narrative for the cinema.
During June, the Palio di Asolo and dei 100 Orizzonti takes place. In this competition, the neighbourhoods of Asolo compete, pulling Roman chariots along an uphill path of about 1800 metres. The event began in 1993 to commemorate the arrival of Queen Catherine Cornaro in Asolo. Above the chariot, a girl in historical dress represents the queen who in 1489 entered triumphant in Asolo to take possession of her new dominion.
Every second Sunday, a historic and renowned antique market is held.
