L'Ipogeo e le sue vie - Il Piccolo Stelvio

Duration: 40 minutes (approximately)

Distance: 2.1 kilometres

Difficulty: easy

Points of interest along the route: Hypogeum of Santa Maria in Stelle | Contrada Maroni

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

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, you will find one among the most loved paths of the hills: the Piccolo Stelvio.
 
This walk starts from and arrives at the Hypogeum of Santa Maria in Stelle, a site which has become symbol of the Valpantena area 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, you can also visit its surroundings. You will find a dirt road made of uphill hairpin turns in the magnificent naturalistic area of the Valpantena, that winds sinuously and rhytmically between gardens of broccoli and centuries-old olive trees, well-known throughout the whole province for the production of a prestigious and delicate oil, made with passion by the local farmers. At the top of the climb (with a drop of about 150 metres from the starting point) once reached the group of houses of contrada Maroni, you enjoy a breath-taking panorama over the Valpantena and the Po valley and, when the sky is clear, up to the Apennines.
 
After the deserved rest, you are ready to set off again, coming back through the Piccolo Stelvio, this time downhill. If you want to walk in a very comfortable way, we recommend sportswear and good shoes to avoid slipping on the path, as it is partly paved and moist, partly stony.  
 
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.