Asolo: “A Wonder in the Heart of Veneto”

Nestled in the greenery of the Asolani Hills, the medieval village of Asolo is a true gem of Veneto. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in Italy by the Touring Club, Asolo inspired the poet Giosuè Carducci, who renamed it the “City of a Hundred Horizons.” The town is also known as the “city of three women”: Queen Caterina Cornaro, who settled here after her exile; actress Eleonora Duse, who chose Asolo’s peace to heal from her tormented love with D’Annunzio; and writer Freya Stark, tireless traveler and an early example of female emancipation.

Historical Background of Asolo

Its first inhabitants arrived as early as the 9th century B.C. In Roman times, it became a municipium under the name Acelum. From the early Middle Ages, the city came under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Treviso, who abolished the custom of celebrating Masses with the sound of drums. From the 15th century onward, Asolo experienced a period of great splendor under Venetian rule. At the end of the century, the exiled Queen of Cyprus, Caterina Cornaro, created a lavish Renaissance court, attracting prestigious artists and writers and enriching Asolo with splendid monuments. Among the most illustrious figures was Pietro Bembo, who wrote Gli Asolani here.

What to Visit in Asolo

Creating a fixed itinerary would diminish the beauty and richness of Asolo’s monuments. However, a visit should necessarily begin at the beautiful Piazza Garibaldi, the beating heart of the town, a meeting place for locals, and the symbolic “living room” of provincial life. Here stands the famous 16th-century fountain with the Lion of Saint Mark, a reminder of the glorious Venetian domination. Nearby is the Palazzo della Ragione, once the administrative seat of Renaissance Asolo and now home to the Civic Museum. Also noteworthy is the Cathedral, which preserves its original Romanesque façade and houses several works of art, including the splendid Assumption by Lorenzo Lotto (1506).

The Streets of Asolo

From Piazza Garibaldi, one can explore the town’s streets leading to monuments of great interest. On Via Browning, one of Asolo’s most elegant streets, stand Palazzo Polo, Casa Tabacchi, Fontanella Zen, and Villa Stark. From Via Bembo, visitors can climb to the ancient Rocca, built between the 12th and 13th centuries, to enjoy a breathtaking panorama.

Via Regina Cornaro, narrow and lined with 15th-century frescoed buildings and arcades, hosts the Queen’s Castle (now Teatro Duse) and the Civic Tower. Via Canova is rich in historical landmarks such as Casa Duse, Casa De Maria, the Church of Santa Caterina, and nearby Palazzo Pasquali, which bears a plaque commemorating Napoleon’s visit. Other highlights include Villa de Mattia and the so-called Lombard House. On Via Dante stands the former Monastery of San Pietro, once owned by the Benedictines.

Other notable buildings include Villa Contarini on Colle degli Armeni and Villa degli Armeni, decorated with 16th-century frescoes. The Churches of Sant’Anna and San Gottardo (13th century) are both adorned with frescoes. The historic cemetery houses the tombs of Eleonora Duse and Freya Stark. In Piazza Brugnoli, visitors can see Villa Scotti-Pasini and the remains of the Roman aqueduct known as “La Bot.”

Asolo Prosecco DOCG

On the Asolani Hills, at the foot of the Dolomites, lie the vineyards that produce Colli Asolani-Prosecco or Asolo-Prosecco DOCG. The vineyards are located at altitudes ranging from 100 to 450 meters above sea level. Viticulture here began around the year 1000, thanks mainly to Benedictine monks.

The Venetian Republic, recognizing the potential of wine, promoted its development in the 16th century, blending popular tradition with the aristocratic pursuit of beauty and refinement. The wines of Montello and the Asolani Hills received DOC recognition in 1977, while Asolo-Prosecco achieved DOCG status in 2009.

How to Reach the Village

• Superstrada Pedemontana Veneta (SPV): a toll road with highway-like features, connecting Alto Vicentino, Bassano del Grappa, and Treviso, and linking to the A31 Val d’Astico.
• Strada Provinciale Schiavonesca-Marosticana (SP248): a provincial road connecting Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa, San Zenone degli Ezzelini, Montebelluna, Volpago del Montello, and Nervesa della Battaglia. It passes near Asolo, at the Casella d’Asolo district.
• From the east (Treviso, Montello, Belluno, Friuli Venezia Giulia), most travelers reach Asolo via Montebelluna, also accessible from the A27 motorway (Mestre–Vittorio Veneto).
• From the west (Vicenza, Schio, Thiene, Asiago), most arrive via Bassano del Grappa. The town is well served by rail and major roads, including the SPV.

Where to Park

• Historic Center Parking – Piazza Brugnoli Main square of the historic center. Always open, with ZTL restrictions. Paid parking.
• Ca’ Vescovo Parking In front of the “Scarpa” factory, about 2 km from the center (shuttle bus every 30 minutes). Always open. Free.
• Forestuzzo Parking About 400 meters uphill from the center, with shuttle stop. Always open. Free on weekdays; paid on Sundays and holidays.
• Cipressina Covered Parking About 150 meters uphill from the center, along Via Forestuzzo. Always open. Paid parking.