L'Ipogeo e le sue vie - L'Oltrevalle

Duration: 3 and ½ hours (approximately)

Distance: 12.7 km

Difficulty: medium

Points of interest along the route: Hypogeum of Santa Maria in Stelle | Contrada Maroni | Piloton | Villa Balladoro-Malfatti | Fountain of the Witches 

Not far away from the centre of Verona there is a place where you can live an unforgettable experience…

We are referring to Santa Maria in Stelle, a village easily reachable by bus, by bike or by car. Once arrived at the village, departing from the square, we go to discover the third longest valley of Verona, the Val Squaranto.
 
This walk starts from and arrives at the Hypogeum of  Santa Maria in Stelle, a site which has become symbol of the Valpantena and is commonly known as “Pantheon”. It is a precious archaeological site of Christian origin, a place of worship which is the only one of its kind and a tourist attraction, due to its important historic, artistic and cultural contents. The Ipogeo (from the Greek ὑπό “under” and γῆ “hearth”) owes this name to its conformation: the site looks like an underground structure which branches under the parish of Santa Maria Assunta.

After visiting this fascinating place, destination of pilgrimages since ever, we climb up towards the small centre of Maroni, leading the walker through a route made up of olive trees and wooded glades that touches the western side of the valley. From this part of the route you can admire the peak of Monte Carega to the north-east, the ridge of S. Rocco di Piegara and the plains of the eastern part of Verona.

Continuing along the track we reach the "Pilotòn", a beautiful megalith of prehistoric age. From here you can descend to the valley to admire Villa Balladoro-Malfatti or continue to the centre of Novaglie through a magical wood where you will find the "Fountain of Witches".

Once you arrive in front of a large fountain, continue up the hill to the right and after a series of ups and downs between olive trees, meadows and woods you return to the ancient centre of Vendri.

Please remember that if you want to visit the Hypogeum of Santa Maria in Stelle it is necessary to make a reservation, sending an email at the following address: info@ipogeostelle.it.
For further information about visit modalities (days, turns, maximum number of visitors and costs) please check the official website: www.ipogeostelle.it. 

You can find information material for your visit at the Tourist Office. 

Download GPX

---