Duration: 1 hour and 5' (approximately)
Distance: 3.6 kilometres
Difficulty: medium
Points of interest along the route: Hypogeum of Santa Maria in Stelle | Contrada Maroni | Borgo "Il Ghetto"
Not far away from the centre of Verona there is a place where you can live an unforgettable experience…
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 the hairpin bends so loved by cyclists, to discover the path called "Il Tornaindrio".
This walk starts from and arrives at the Hypogeum of Santa Maria in Stelle, a site which has become symbol of the Valpantena 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, which has always been a place of pilgrimage, you go up towards Contrada Maroni, where you can admire a unique panorama, in a setting dominated by olive groves and peace.
Proceeding northwards, you cross a cart track on the left, called by the locals "la Strada Fonda", along which you return to Santa Maria in Stelle in 20 minutes. The path back is steep and craggy and characterized by walls of "biancone" stone. Returning to the village, it is possible to admire the evocative and colourful houses of the hamlet called by the locals "the Ghetto".
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.
