Top 20 Natural Monuments in Padova

A magical place in the heart of the Euganei Hills.

The Gran Bosco dei Fontanassi is a jewel of biodiversity located between Treviso and Quinto, where the phenomenon of springs gives life to an enchanted landscape. In this precious wetland of the Parco del Sile, water spontaneously emerges from the earth, creating crystal-clear pools at a constant temperature. Walking among black alders and willows, it is possible to spot herons and kingfishers in a regenerating silence. It is an ancient stretch of forest that testifies to the original richness of the plain.

Valsanzibio was brought to splendor in the second half of the 17th century by the Venetian nobleman Zuane Francesco Barbarigo and his son Antonio following a solemn vow made in 1631 to escape the plague (1630/31). The eldest son, Gregory, a cardinal and future saint, inspired the lofty symbolism of the monumental layout by the papal architect and fountain designer Luigi Bernini and wanted the garden of Valsanzibio to be a monumental emblem of the path to perfection that leads man from Error to Truth, from Ignorance to Revelation. Over sixty statues, mostly by Merengo, and an equal number of smaller sculptures are integrated into the architecture, waterfalls, fountains, and water features on 15 hectares of unspoiled hillside nature.

Many embankments and roads with little traffic

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The Colle del Montirone The monumental entrance designed by Jappelli testifies to the importance of this small hill, which was once rich in natural thermal springs that bubbled forth at a temperature of 80°C. Today, the stone pools can still be seen here, a symbol of the millennia-old thermal tradition of the town of Abano. The Doric column, topped with a chalice entwined by a serpent, was also designed by Giuseppe Jappelli in 1825, on the occasion of Emperor Franz I of Austria's visit. Text / Source: Abano.it / La città di Abano Terme https://www.abano.it/de/Abano-Terme/

Parco Montirone, Abano / The Ancient Thermal Springs In the heart of Abano, at the end of the pedestrian zone, a tall colonnade leads us into this small park where steaming thermal water flows among the greenery of plants and trees. A tall colonnade leads us into this small park, situated on a green hill where the temple of the god Aponus once stood near Abano's ancient thermal spring. Today, the thermal water flows once again in the stone thermal pools. The cradle of Abano's thermal baths: More than two thousand years ago, in the time of the ancient Romans, a sacred temple dedicated to the god Aponus and a small shop selling pottery stood on this small hill. Many came here to be treated with the precious thermal water, which flowed freely at a temperature of approximately 80°C. ... Soon, villas and thermal palaces sprang up around the small hill, and the Abano thermal baths became famous among patricians and soldiers, as well as emperors, for their "magical" qualities: Tiberius himself wanted to stop at the Temple of Aponus to consult the oracle of Geryon. After receiving a positive result, he threw his golden dice into the fountain before departing for Illyria. Today, the ancient pools, which held steaming thermal water until the second half of the 20th century, have been restored to their former glory: The water flows again in the five stone pools—two large and three small—at a temperature of about 70°C. A high colonnade in the Corinthian order leads to the park with the Montirone springs. At the entrance stands the Doric column surmounted by a chalice coiled in the shape of a snake, designed in 1825 by the Venetian architect Giuseppe Jappelli to house the passage of Emperor Franz I of Austria. Text / Source: Blog Abano.it / It Portale delle Terme https://blog.abano.it/it/il-colle-del-montirone-e-le-sue-antiche-sorgenti-termali/

Parco Montirone, Abano / The Ancient Thermal Springs In the heart of Abano, at the end of the pedestrian zone, a tall colonnade leads us into this small park where steaming thermal water flows among the greenery of plants and trees. A tall colonnade leads us into this small park, situated on a green hill where the temple of the god Aponus once stood near Abano's ancient thermal spring. Today, the thermal water flows once again in the stone thermal pools. The cradle of Abano's thermal baths: More than two thousand years ago, in the time of the ancient Romans, a sacred temple dedicated to the god Aponus and a small shop selling pottery stood on this small hill. Many came here to be treated with the precious thermal water, which flowed freely at a temperature of approximately 80°C. ... Soon, villas and thermal palaces sprang up around the small hill, and the Abano thermal baths became famous among patricians and soldiers, as well as emperors, for their "magical" qualities: Tiberius himself wanted to stop at the Temple of Aponus to consult the oracle of Geryon. After receiving a positive result, he threw his golden dice into the fountain before departing for Illyria. Today, the ancient pools, which held steaming thermal water until the second half of the 20th century, have been restored to their former glory: The water flows again in the five stone pools—two large and three small—at a temperature of about 70°C. A high colonnade in the Corinthian order leads to the park with the Montirone springs. At the entrance stands the Doric column surmounted by a chalice coiled in the shape of a snake, designed in 1825 by the Venetian architect Giuseppe Jappelli to house the passage of Emperor Franz I of Austria. Text / Source: Blog Abano.it / It Portale delle Terme https://blog.abano.it/it/il-colle-del-montirone-e-le-sue-antiche-sorgenti-termali/