THE “10 CAPITELLI” INTINERARY
IN THE SOAVE CLASSICO
THE INTINERARY:
Ten “Capitelli” (roadside shrines) among the many that almost everywhere testify the labors of life, but also the hopes and dreams of our people fueled by compassion.
The first you encounter after leaving the starting point of Piazza Silvio Venturi, is located on the edge of the little road that connects the Val Ponsara with the Valle dell’Acqua, where they merge with the plain. Here is represented the Virgin Mary with Jesus: a craft of unpretentious aesthetic; but it is not the art that counts here.
A little further ahead emerges the vision of a house guarded by three pines, nestled among the gentle rolling of the hills. Turn left and the road begins to rise with the measured slope, but after a short flat rears and gets tough. But at the exit of a curve the roadshrine of St. Peter comes to help us with an invitation to pause: a sailboat of linear simplicity, connected (1980) to the edge of a propriety by the Veneri brothers to honor the memory of the priest.
The stop allows you to see a handful of houses in the Valle dell’Acqua (Valley of the Water) and, beyond the Tramenalto, the Calvarina emerging from the hills’ skyline that in the north joins the Gruppo del Carega. Follows a slight climb where, for a short while, the gaze lands on a mural drawn in memory of a young farmer who died a few years ago. A little further the road finally levels out and a little to the left, along the edge of the hills, appears the Medieval Castle of Soave.
Next is the road shrine of the Foscarin, dedicated to the Holy Family, at the foot of a rocky and barren rise, the highest hill in the area. Nearby, some olive tree, “pale and smiling”, brighten the scene as does a spot of robinias, white in the spring.
Resuming the journey, there’s a left turn down a slope that at times is steep and that arrives at the 4th capital, with its Madonna and Child.
Continuing further the road leads to Soave and the landscape changes, some villages appear lying flat or climbing on the sides of the hills. Meanwhile, the profile of the castle slowly becomes more define, but after arriving to view of the outskirts of Soave one must turn to the left and face the climb that brings into the territory of Monteforte. The road is long, but there is a checkpoint that allows taking a breath as well as a well-deserved rest.
The climb continues and ends in front of the shrine of San Vincenzo Ferreri, the patron of vineyards against hail, protected by a solitary and severe pine tree. It is the area of the Pigno (pine). From here on, the path becomes quite easy because the road winds itself almost always on the ridge.
There is a detour that allows you to visit the 6th capital, that of Bassanella. In the niche a vaguely naive painting depicts the Virgin Mary, to whom it is addressed specific invocation: “bless the fruit of our labor.” Continuing on the side that looks Soave, we arrive at “piazza scheeti”, a kind of open balcony on the Pianura Padana (Padana plains). Here it is worthwhile to stay somewhat to admire the breadth and richness of the landscape. Often the horizon fades into the mist, but on days cleared by the wind one can see the blue outline of the Apennines, almost a fringe embroidered in the sky. Closer, a little to the right one can see the castle of Illasi and, on the opposite side, the tip of our bell tower: an invitation, almost, or an encouragement to continue.
At the end of the deviation, the itinerary returns on the road at the ridge, crossing the border between Soave and Monteforte and arriving at the 7th shrine dedicated to Saint Joseph.
There a dollop of olive trees, quite coquettish among many serious vineyards, greets the passenger, and in a flash one arrives to the 8th shrine: a Christ on the Cross, locked in a triangular niche supported by a column.
Leaving the Froscà to the left, with its clear paths that cut the cost, one enters into the Zoppega area where, in 1899, it was built a shrine in honor of Our Lady Auxilium Christianorum, now “Regina Pacis”.
At this point it is worthwhile to point out to the traveler that the water from the nearby fountain is safe to drink.
Finally one reaches the last shrine, the San Rocheto, witness to the times when the local district politician held sessions on the wall ahead. Come on! Only one small climb, mild and short, leading to the hill of St. Anthony and then a dip toward the embrace of a fantastic and welcoming square.
Rules and regulations
The circular itinerary “10 Capitelli” was designed, by the GP Valdalpone De Megni on hilly and little known roads which, we can say, are almost unknown even to the locals, to promote awareness on the area of Soave and Monteforte.
The route suitable for vehicular passage, but not hampered by traffic, is used in almost all months of the year from people who love to rediscover the pleasure of a stroll “on the outskirts of town”.
All those accessing these permanent ring paths (there are about twenty in the national territory) must keep in mind that the roads are streets with free access, that there is no medical nor of radio link and that the crossings are unmanned.
At the midway point there is a car parking, usable upon the delivery of the keys to allow access by the organizers.
All must respect the flora, fauna and others’ property.
Are required the compliance with the rules of the road and the signing of several responsibility releases upon enrollment.
The FIASP has entered into a specific insurance policy to protect the organizers and the participants.
Entries can be completed at the Bar Milano in p.za Venturi, and the Bar Tovo (al ponte) where one may get the keys to enter the rest and control stop, placed between the 5th and the 6th kilometer.
For IVV competitions, that is only one stamp per annum for each Circular Permanent Itinerary, as well as for all the kilometers traveled each day.
The route is marked with environmentally appropriate wooden signs, while other signs indicate the name of the Capitelli (roadside shrines) and the areas crossed by the itinerary.
In front of the headquarters in Piazza Venturi is placed a wooden board with the map and the indication of “10 Capitelli” itinerary that stays open all year round.
The endorsement of the competitions is done through the presentation of the participation card in good standing with the control place along the way.
Every day of the week, except Sunday morning.
Starting point: Piazza Venturi at 7.30am
End of arrivals: at sunset.
Information:
www.montefortiana.org
G.P. Valdalpone De Megni
Phone. 045 6103277 – 3382663474
Bar Milano Phone. 045 7610744