On the occasion of National Tree Day, we celebrate the beauty of Treviso's green spaces, the true lungs of our city.
Trees are not only a symbol of life, but also precious allies in the fight against climate change.
Cansiglio, Cadolten beech forest
Most of the wood we consume comes from Northern Europe and South America. It makes me laugh, like when I hear that Germany produces more photovoltaic energy than Italy, the country of the sun. These are the contradictions that people who sever the roots with their essence run into. And it is no coincidence that roots are spoken of in relation to the Cansiglio forest, from which the Serenissima drew to build its incredible ships that dominated the seas for centuries.
Soligo, Collagù
Isolated place, not by chance Collagù means colle-acu-to. The crests, however, appear softened by the hair of the vegetation, characteristic of water areas. This is revealed by a gushing rock, from which a procession armed with bottles draws. Another procession, a little below, to a sanctuary. The pilgrims venerated the Madonna dei dolori – those that accompany unhappy harvests. Each people raises a different cry of pain to the sky.
Cison di Valmarino, Brandolini Castle
Cison di Valmarino is a modern Venetian town, not unlike many others. From afar, however, it displays that lighthouse in the night that today is called Castelstebrando and is a highly appreciated conference center reachable with a panoramic elevator-shuttle. It has always been impregnable, starting from the barbarian invasions. And who could reach it, up there, without a suitable invitation?
The Giustinian castle, Roncade
Are you familiar with the typical images that iconography associates with the Middle Ages?
Castles, crenellated towers, fortified walls, drawbridges, moats, fully armored warriors... None of this is missing from the Giustinian Castle in Roncade. Which, incidentally, is the only Venetian villa surrounded by medieval walls. In addition, the statues of 30 schiavoni, the ancient Slavic soldiers, are scattered throughout the park to fuel an edifying legend. It is said that Count Girolamo Giustinian, a Venetian patrician, builder of the castle in 1500, was often around the world. And that, wanting to protect the virtues of his beloved wife, he hired some schiavoni. Who, in his absence, did the exact opposite. The nobleman, betrayed and offended, commissioned a magician to petrify them. In the exact pose in which you see them today.