- Distance and Time required: 3.7 Km | 1.5 h
- Elevation gain: 227mt
- Difficulty: Medium
- Starting Point: Parking in Via Tandura a Vittorio Veneto
- Short description: Vittorio Veneto is a beautiful town nestled in greenery. We’ll climb Mount Marcantone up to the Sanctuary of Santa Augusta, then head back down the same way for a short stroll through the town center.
- Stroller/Wheelchair accessible: No
Il percorso
After so many rainy days, the sun is finally out! We're heading to Vittorio Veneto to walk the local favorite: the path up to the Sanctuary of Santa Augusta.
We park the car in Via Tandura, grab our backpacks, hats, and brains ;) and head toward the town center. Once we reach the Alemagna state road that skims the town, we turn right; immediately on our left, we spot Mount Marcantone and our destination. We walk along the sidewalk first and then under the typical "porteghi" (porches). After passing Palazzo Galletti (the flooring shop), we turn right again and find ourselves right in front of the Santa Augusta staircase.
Monte Marcantone
Santa Augusta StairsWe load Marco Albino into his carrier and hand the camera over to Sebastian... and we’re off! The climb up Mount Marcantone is quite easy; the path is cobbled and well-maintained, and it's nestled among the trees, making it perfect for those sweltering summer days. In the first section, there is even a wooden fence to lean on, probably because the path is a bit narrow.
We pass through a gateway to the trail and continue uphill. Along the way, there are several small shrines (capitelli) dating back to the 1700s and 1800s, in various stages of restoration. Sebastian wants to snap a photo, and as luck would have it, he captures the shrine of Saint Sebastian.
Path of Santa Augusta
Shrine of San Sebastiano"Another shrine bears witness to the miracle of the bread and flowers of Santa Augusta, and before reaching the Sanctuary, we pass through a medieval tower guarding the staircase that leads us inside... and yes, there are quite a few steps to climb here, too.
Once at the top, the view stretches across the slopes of Cansiglio, the Venetian plains, and the Treviso Prealps.
Problemi di mal di schiena cronico e cervicali a Treviso?
Studio Perissinotto
Rieducazione funzionale e percettiva tra i sensori del corpo e il cervello per risolvere il mal di schiena cronico e le cervicalgie.
Via Cadorna n. 57 a Carbonera - Tel. 351 855 3090
Entriamo nel Santuario e subito sulla destra ecco l'altare di Santa Augusta, il campanile rintocca il mezzogiorno e i bimbi hanno fame. Fuori c'è molta gente che mangia seduta sulle panchine presenti e bimbi che giocano. Volendo è anche possibile pranzare o chiedere un panino al ristorante lì vicino.
The miracle of bread and flowers
Sant'Augusta SanctuaryWe head inside the Sanctuary, and there, immediately on the right, is the altar of Santa Augusta. The bell tower strikes noon, and the kids are starting to get hungry. Outside, there are plenty of people eating on the benches and children playing. If you’re interested, you can also have lunch or grab a sandwich at the nearby restaurant.
We head back down the main staircase and walk alongside the Cathedral of Vittorio Veneto until we reach Piazza Flaminio... and what do we see? A lovely gelato shop! A stop is practically mandatory, and I have to say, the gelato at Gelateria Flaminio is truly delicious.
Panoramic view
Piazza Flaminio in Vittorio VenetoWe let Marco walk around the square for a bit, just to stretch his legs, and then we stroll along the porteghi of Via Martiri della Libertà. There are plenty of gourmet food shops and no empty storefronts—a sign that the village is still very much alive. In no time, we reach the city gateway, but we don't pass through it; instead, we turn left onto Via Pietro Paietta.
Via Martiri della Libertà
Passeggiata Don NardiOnce we reach the bridge, we turn right, following the Don Antonio de Nardi pedestrian path that runs alongside the river. We cross the next bridge and immediately turn left onto the pedestrian bridge. After crossing the road, we walk along the sidewalk to the left until we find ourselves back on Via Tandura.
Photo Gallery
Track Gps
Problemi di mal di schiena cronico e cervicali a Treviso?
Studio Perissinotto
Rieducazione funzionale e percettiva tra i sensori del corpo e il cervello per risolvere il mal di schiena cronico e le cervicalgie.
Via Cadorna n. 57 a Carbonera - Tel. 351 855 3090
What to see
Sanctuary of Santa Augusta the symbolic place of worship for Vittorio Veneto, it stands on the exact spot where Saint Augusta was martyred; her remains are preserved inside. From the Sanctuary, you can enjoy stunning views stretching from Cansiglio to the Venetian plains. The church features frescoes by Giovanni Antonio da Meschio. Once you arrive, please remember: you are in a Sanctuary, not at the beach.
Serravalle historic center Serravalle is the northernmost part of Vittorio Veneto. The village is incredibly charming and unique, known for its stone houses and the waters of the Meschio river flowing through it. Piazza Flaminio, the heart of the village, is surrounded by Renaissance-era buildings, such as the Loggia di Serravalle
Refreshment Point
Drinking fountains are available before the Santa Augusta staircase and under the Sanctuary’s bell tower.
Dining and cafes in the center of Vittorio Veneto.
Curiosities
The Legend of Santa Augusta Augusta was the daughter of Matrucco, a Visigoth king who arrived in the area in 410 AD and established his fortress on Mount Marcantone (near Serravalle). Fierce and power-hungry, he immediately set out to conquer Friuli and began persecuting Christians throughout what is now the Northeast.
His wife died giving birth to Augusta, who was baptized in great secret by a local hermit. She grew up in the Christian faith, protecting her "brothers and sisters" from her father's tyranny.
The miracle of the bread and flowers is famous. Augusta frequently brought bread to the poor of the village. One day, her father—opposed to these acts of generosity—confronted her and demanded to see what was in her bag. When she opened it, it wasn't bread that fell out, but flowers.
Matrucco tried in vain to persuade his daughter to return to paganism, imprisoning her and subjecting her to unspeakable tortures: the spiked wheel (which broke), the stake (which extinguished itself), and the pulling of her teeth. She was even tied to a wheel and thrown down the hillside, but she emerged unscathed. Finally, she was beheaded.
Augusta's body was found a few years later and buried at the top of the hill that still bears her name today. If you go behind the altar where the Saint's remains rest, you will find an ancient stone with a hole in it. If you place your head inside while praying to Santa Augusta, it is said that any ailment will pass, as if it had never tormented you.