Castegnero
Castegnero is a town in the Colli Berici hills, at the foot of the rocky cliffs that slope down toward the Vicenza plain, in a ter...
Updated 12 July 2026
The story
The story of Castegnero
The covoli, shelters cut into the rock
The most distinctive feature of Castegnero's territory is the covoli, natural and semi-artificial cavities opening in the limestone cliffs of the Colli Berici, particularly in the area rising from the village toward the plateau between Costozza and Lumignano. During the Middle Ages, in times of insecurity and raids, inhabitants took refuge in these dry, sun-exposed hollows, giving rise to small semi-nomadic settlements. Among the best known are the Covolo Murato, also called Covolo Merlo, and the Sengi Bei complex, today popular hiking destinations along the Berici trails. Walking up to these covoli means crossing a fascinating karst landscape, with exposed rock, Mediterranean scrub and panoramic views over the Vicenza plain.
The Mora di Castegnero and the cherry blossom
The eastern slope of the Colli Berici, where Castegnero lies, has for generations been land for prized crops such as grapevines, olives and above all cherry trees. The village is known throughout Vicenza province for the Mora di Castegnero, a local medium-early cherry variety with dark, tender, sweet flesh, grown according to a well-established farming tradition. Every spring, usually in early April, the cherry blossom transforms the hills into a white-and-pink mantle that draws walkers and nature photographers from across the Vicenza area. It is one of the most keenly anticipated seasonal events in the area, one that introduces Castegnero even to visitors who would not normally include it in a tourist itinerary.
A territory inhabited since prehistoric times
The rock walls and covoli that characterise Castegnero are not just a scenic curiosity: they testify to a human presence dating back to prehistory, when the natural caves of the Colli Berici offered shelter in an otherwise inhospitable area. In the centuries that followed, the territory continued to be inhabited continuously, adapting to different historical periods, eventually taking the shape of the farming municipality we know today. This long stratification, from prehistory through the Middle Ages to contemporary agriculture, makes Castegnero an interesting case for anyone studying the settlement history of the Vicenza hill belt, even without major precisely datable monuments.
Vineyards, olive groves and village life
Besides cherries, Castegnero's territory hosts vineyards and olive groves that contribute to the typical production of the Colli Berici, a wine-growing area recognised for well-structured white and red wines. The municipality has a population of a few thousand and retains a strong agricultural character, with family businesses working the land on the hill slopes and on the plain at the foot of the hill. Village life centres on seasonal farming activities, festivals tied to local produce, and the network of hiking trails connecting Castegnero to neighbouring Colli Berici towns such as Costozza and Longare, making it a natural stop for those exploring the whole hill area on foot or by mountain bike.
A De.Co. town promoting local produce
Castegnero is among the Veneto towns that have adopted the De.Co. mark, the Comunal Denomination that recognises and protects agri-food products tied to a specific territory, without the more complex procedures of European denominations. For Castegnero this recognition applies above all to the Mora cherry, but it fits into a broader commitment by the local administration to promote the town's agricultural identity, through village festivals, seasonal farmers' markets and small short-supply-chain initiatives. It is an approach that shows how, even without major monumental attractions, a small hill town can build a recognisable identity by focusing on the quality and authenticity of its typical produce.
Experiences not to miss
- Hike to the covoli between Costozza, Lumignano and Castegnero
- Admire the cherry blossom on the Colli Berici in spring
- Taste the Mora di Castegnero cherry during harvest season
- Walk the hiking trails through rock outcrops and Mediterranean scrub
- Discover the vineyards and olive groves typical of the Colli Berici
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Castegnero
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