Tom`s travels: Walk along the Valle dell'Agno (02/01/2019)

As I still had a day left in Vicenza I decided to join my aunt who was driving to the town of Valdagno for work. After getting off the car in the city center I started my hike down south hoping to enjoy the great weather of the day and hiking through some small towns and the countryside. I started at the Duomo di San Clemente, the town's cathedral, built in the neoclassical style over a previous church. I then walked further passing through the main square and then onwards along the old town, dating mostly to the 18th century. After the old town, I passed among a large residential area as Valdagno became famous when the Marzotto family founded a textile industry in 1836 that brought richness to the city still to this day. As I exited the town I walked along the nice bicycle route built along the Agno river and taking me all the way to the town of Cornedo Vicentino. Here I walked through the city center, passing by the nice 16th century Villa Trissino, the seat of the city's library. Then uphill I reached the small isolated church of San Sebastiano dating to the 15th century with a nice and elegant facade. From the terrace, in front of it, I had a nice view of the valley and surrounding hills. As I walked back downhill and exited the town, I continued along a countryside road surrounded by beautiful verdant fields. Despite it being winter the fields were quite green already and some trees still held leaves. After crossing the Agno river I reached a small hamlet where the Pieve di San Martino is located. The church, built around the 12th century in a Romanesque style, is the oldest of the valley and was an important feature for the Longobards living in the area. It is now surrounded by a cemetery and unfortunately was closed as I attempted to visit it. So after a bit more walking I passed through the town of Brogliano and continued on along the hills. After some time I reached the small town of Trissino and noticed immediately the large 18th century Villa Trissino Marzotto as I approached. As I passed by I noticed it was closed, though it usually can be visited as it possesses a nice art collection and a splendid garden. Next to it was the church of Sant'Andrea dating to 1530 and with a large cupola. A terrace granted an amazing view opening out to the south making it seem like if it were already springtime. After a long walk through a vast countryside, I approached another series of hills which I walked up and down until I reached the first houses of Arzignano. A little further on I then reached a highpoint where the castle was located. Built around the 11th century it was later destroyed during the Magyar invasions. Another was built in its place the following century and enlarged and refurbished during the later periods. It now consists of a set of walls, of which just the northeastern part remains, surrounding some houses and the parochial church. At the southwestern side stands the imposing keep made out of black rock and red brick. From here I could clearly make out the outline of the old town below. Funnily Arzignano, sitting close to Vicenza, is the town I was born in, as at the time the hospital was well known and a convenient point to give birth. After reaching the city center I walked through the pretty streets and arrived in the central square Piazza Libertà. Here I met again with my aunt and her friend, who had just arrived and were waiting for me, and together we went to eat a small restaurant called Osteria alla Cedrara which served good food. Once filled and happy I then headed to the car with my aunt who droves us finally back to Vicenza after a long 24km walk.