Altavilla Vicentina
Altavilla Vicentina lies southwest of Vicenza, at the foot of the Berici Hills, and belongs to the ring of towns that grew up arou...
Updated 11 July 2026
The story
The story of Altavilla Vicentina
History and origins
Altavilla's origins are very ancient, attested by archaeological finds dating back to the Bronze Age. In a diploma from the year 1000 granted by Emperor Otto III, the territory appears as a possession of the bishops of Vicenza; the town's statutes date to 1281, and in 1404, following the fortunes of the city of Vicenza, the town passed under the rule of the Republic of Venice. The original core of the settlement developed around a medieval stronghold built on a rise at the foot of the Berici Hills, of which only ruins remain today.
What to see
The church of Saints Urbano and Sebastiano, of Gothic origin, was enlarged in 1495 and remodelled during the seventeenth century. The town's most celebrated monument, however, is Villa Valmarana, built in 1724 to a design by the architect Francesco Muttoni, one of the most refined interpreters of Venetian architecture of his time. The same territory is also home to Villa Morosini, a picturesque Venetian villa also built in 1724, by the architect Moroni for Count Benedetto Valmarana: two significant examples of how Vicenza's nobility chose these hills for their country residences.
Nature and surroundings
The Berici Hills, which touch the southern edge of the municipality, offer hiking trails and views over the Vicenza plain, ideal for a day trip without straying far from the city. The combination of hills, countryside and proximity to Vicenza makes Altavilla a town valued for its quality of life.
Local life and economy
Altavilla Vicentina today is a town with a strong residential and manufacturing character, crossed by the commercial and industrial routes linking Vicenza to Verona: workshop and retail areas therefore coexist with residential neighbourhoods and the historic villas, in a balance typical of the Vicenza peri-urban belt.
Getting there
The municipality lies along the state road connecting Vicenza to Verona and is served by the Alte di Montecchio Maggiore motorway exit on the A4: a strategic position that makes it a frequent waypoint along one of Veneto's busiest routes.
Experiences not to miss
- Ammirare Villa Valmarana, capolavoro di Francesco Muttoni
- Admire Villa Valmarana, a masterpiece by Francesco Muttoni
To see
What to see in Altavilla Vicentina
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Altavilla Vicentina
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