Fogazzaro, who lived between the 19th and 20th centuries, set many of his novels in the foothills of Vicenza and was largely inspired by the mountainous environment of Tonezza, to which he dedicated one of the most intense chapters of his book “Piccolo Mondo Moderno” from 1901.
The Fogazzaro Path represents a pleasant naturalistic and cultural route that retraces some of the places in Fogazzaro’s novel.
After the church of Tonezza and shortly after passing by Villa Roi (referred to as the “Villino dei Faggi” in Fogazzaro’s novel), there is a path that, descending to the right towards the south, crosses meadows of beech and red fir trees.
On the opposite side, one can identify the nook of the “Covile del Cinghiale” and the “Pentola degli Stregoni”, fantastical names created by the poet.
The entrance to the woods is marked by stone slabs, and, passing by the former Giant's Kiosk, one continues to the left to climb until crossing an asphalt road.
Upon reaching the small chapel, one resumes the path that veers left, which quickly leads to the Fontana dei Noci. Ascending to the right, the road is crossed and the path is resumed from the other side, which climbs until reaching the plain of Lain.
Upon arriving at the hairpin bend, the path reaches the top of a ridge. Entering the woods, one turns left to reach the clearing among the woods to observe a beautiful view of Monte Spitz, the “Picco Astore” of the novel. Continuing towards the Lasse quarries, one arrives at the jutting slab among the abysses (now protected by a fence). From here, one can admire the panoramic view that Fogazzaro himself saw.
