Path of Monte San Michele
As part of the project, therefore, two courses were offered to learn more about the area with related guided tours; the 'Sentiero del Monte San Michele' (St. Michael's Mount Path) was restored; but above all, in agreement with the I.C.S. 'Girolamo Fracastoro' school, work was carried out to rework the information panels, which were almost completely ruined. These panels had been made by some pupils of the Cavaion V.se Secondary School in the 2007/2008 school year, in connection with a systematic study of Monte San Michele, later published in a booklet.
The new route includes 12 stations with in-depth information on the territory, flora and archaeological aspects of the San Michele area, which can also be accessed via a link to the municipal website visitcavaion.it.
Mount San Michele, the main ridge in the territory of the municipality of Cavaion Veronese, at 342 m is a 'monadnock', e.g. a geo-morphological mountain with rocks and fossils dating back to the Oligocene period and its scenic and panoramic position, emerging above the upper Veronese plain; but it is relevant above all for its anthropic history, which ranges from the Paleolithic to the Cold War period, encompassing almost all the historical eras that have left important traces and archaeological evidence on it (Bastia, Church of San Michele, Radio Station, etc.).
Moreover, the entire territory of Cavaion Veronese also has its own peculiar identity and soul (genius loci) that makes it memorable and significant in terms of values, determining unique and singular landscapes, such as that of 'seregno' or the agricultural courts.
For the inhabitants of Cavaion, Mount San Michele is a mountain-symbol and is part of their visual horizon as a traditional image of identity memory.
It was precisely from this identity-symbol that the CTG El Preon APS Group came up with the idea of developing a valorisation project with the involvement of local volunteers, associations and other bodies in the area, in an attempt to defend, recover and valorise this common asset that was in danger of deteriorating and falling into neglect.
The CTG El Preon APS Group has decided to dedicate this route among nature, history and tradition to the memory of one of the group's founding members, Romano Giacomelli, a tireless supporter of Cavaionese culture and education, who passed away in 2022.
The project is financed by the Veneto Region with state resources from the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies.
Starting point of the trail
The stations of the route
Station
1
Villa Ravagni Trombetta
This 18th-century palace stands on the slopes of Mount San Michele at an altitude of 265 metres, at the start of the path...
Station
2
Origin of Lake Garda
Following the expansion and retreat of the glaciers, northern Italy had taken on the appearance we know...
Station
3
The forest of the south side
The southern slope of Mount San Michele, which is gentler, sloping and sunnier than the northern slope...
Station
4
Dry stone walls
Dry stone walls are one of the characteristic elements of our territory; during the winter, when agricultural work...
Station
5
Life in the forest
Animals and plants are indispensable to the good health of the forest, more so than man's interventions in forestry...
Station
6
The Chapel of San Michele
In the 19th century, the Counts Ravignani had an aristocratic chapel built on the villa property, now Palazzo Trombetta...
Station
7
Panorama of Punta S.Vigilio
It is a typically Mediterranean species, introduced from Greece in the first millennium BC. The fruit, the olive, can be preserved in brine...
Station
8
La bastia archaeological area
Archaeological excavations began in 2003, thanks to a research and enhancement project promoted by the Cavaion Municipality...
Station
9
Mount San Michele
Mount San Michele (342 m), located to the north-west of the present-day town centre, has been the site of ancient settlements...
Station
10
The undergrowth
The undergrowth is the group of bushes, small shrubs and ferns that grows above the grasses, moss and lichens in the shade...
Station
11
The walls of the Bastia
The summit of Mount San Michele was bordered by fortification walls dating back to the late Scaliger age...
Station
12
Geology of Monte San Michele
Between 15 and 12 million years ago a thrust caused Mount San Michele and Mount Moscal to emerge from the sea...
Gallery
