The Radicchio Route: a tasteful route to take by bike

The Radicchio Route is full of things to do and see. The must-do activities, as they encapsulate the heart and meaning of the course, are:

• Visiting and witnessing the production of the local speciality

In the hinterland of the Marca trevigiana there are numerous companies that allow you to see the entire production cycle of Radicchio trevigiano: how it is harvested, processed by hand and then packaged.

• Treat yourself to a tasting
  There is the opportunity to taste local specialities and take part in buffets on the farms, to discover the true flavour of Radicchio di Treviso PGI. Many proposals in this regard are offered by the Associazione della Strada del Radicchio Rosso di Treviso e Variegato di Castelfranco: a consortium of producers, trade operators, traders, restaurateurs and public bodies.

Among the things to see along the way, however, you cannot miss:

• The Naturalistic Oasis of Mulino Cervara (Santa Cristina of Quinto di Treviso)
  Located in the Regional Natural Park of the River Sile, a few kilometres from Treviso, is this reserve of great natural interest. It is precisely for this reason that it has been classified as a Site of Community Interest (S.I.C.): the Oasis, enclosed between the courses of the Sile river and the Piòvega torrent, offers refuge to wildlife and spontaneous flora. In this backdrop, a 14th-century mill still turns its wooden wheel, driven by river water.
• Villa Marcello (Levada)
  The characteristic Veneto villa in Palladian style has 16th-century origins, with extensions and decorations dating back to the 18th century. Its interior is adorned with frescoes, paintings and precious furnishings, while its exterior consists of 9 hectares of historic garden, dotted with statues and ancient trees. The whole is in itself immersed in the green Venetian countryside. The building is also of great historical interest: in the years of the Great War it housed various Italian commands, as well as King Victor Emmanuel III during the Battle of the Solstice (1918).
• Villa Emo (Fanzolo).
  Here is one of Palladio’s most famous Venetian villas. Built in the 16th century, it has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1996. The harmonious architecture is surrounded by a large garden, and stands on the border between the wide Po Valley and the foothills of the Feltre Pre-Alps. It is distinguished by two long columned barchesse, which frame the villa, and a long paved pathway of square stones, leading to the entrance. With its elegant and essential exterior, Villa Emo houses important frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti inside.
• Villa Priuli (Castello di Godego).
  The villa is of great value for the spatial and harmonic relationships of its architecture.
  It is home to a Cultural Centre, the Municipal Library and a Civic Museum.
  The latter, rich in archaeological finds, tells about the evolution of civilisation in the area. In addition, the villa is decorated inside with a vast cycle of frescoes by Paolo Piazza di Castelfranco, a 17th-century painter.
• Castelfranco Veneto.
  This charming village, the final destination, is also worth a visit. The first thing that strikes you are the impressive walls, from which the Tower of the Dead, among others, rises, all surrounded by a moat and a verdant meadow. Further into the historical centre is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Liberale, a treasure trove of works of art: attributed to Palma il Giovane, Paolo Piazza, Giovanni Battista Ponchini and Giuseppe Bernardi.

The best known and most attractive is Giorgione’s Altarpiece: a 16th-century oil painting that captures the viewer in a strong emotional involvement.
Then there is the Casa Giorgione Museum (Casa Pellizzari), which breathes an ancient air and preserves precious objects and architectural reconstructions that tell the story of Giorgione’s life. The visit is pleasant throughout the historical centre, in the squares and along the walls.