Discover Mestrino: Churches, Villas and Riverside Paths

Mestrino combines Roman traces, sacred art, historic villas and paths through the countryside. When choosing a holiday apartment in Mestrino, you will find various starting points here for cultural discoveries, shared excursions and days spent cycling or walking. The districts of Arlesega and Lissaro, as well as the historic centre, are particularly interesting.

Roman Traces between Mestrino and Arlesega

The Strada Mestrina, now the SS 11, follows the route of the Roman road Patavium–Vicetia. In Arlesega, the Roman road station Statio Ad Finem stood along the Roman road between Padua and Vicenza. Historically, it offered travellers food and overnight accommodation there. The connection between the transport route and the former rest station gives the area a clear historical significance, without allowing any present-day functions to be inferred from it.

Other finds also reach far back into the past: Roman wine amphorae have frequently been found in the municipality of Mestrino. A Neolithic spearhead made of reddish flint was also unearthed in the district of Lissaro. In 1812, a grave stele from the Roman imperial period for C. Acilius was found on the road to Vicenza, at an unspecified location.

Churches with Venetian and Local Art

In the Church of San Bartolomeo, the main altar comes from San Francesco della Vigna in Venice. Its paliotto is attributed to Baldassare Longhena; the group of figures depicting the Annunciation was created by Pietro Baratta. On the ceiling of the nave are two oil paintings on wood depicting the martyrdom and glorification of Saint Bartholomew by Silvio Travaglia and Antonio Soranzo. The hospital church of Santa Maria del Zocco in Arlesega was already in existence in 1252.

In Lissaro, the parish church was replaced by a single-nave building designed by the architect Antonio Diedo and consecrated on 27 August 1910. Its main altar contains a painting of the Baptism of Jesus by Gerolamo Tessari, also known as del Santo, dating from 1532. There is also an altarpiece from 1545 depicting the enthroned Madonna between Saints Justina, Peter, Paul and Helena, attributed to Stefano dell’Arzere. The Church of San Michele Arcangelo became an independent parish in 1907; before that, it had been subordinate to the Pieve di Lissaro in 1297.

Villas, Gardens and Preserved Ruins

Villa Contarini Raffaella is a 16th-century complex with 18th-century barchesse, the remains of a 16th-century stable and an Italian garden. Frescoes attributed to a follower of Zelotti have been preserved on the main façade. In the south-eastern corner of the garden, a chapel stands on the Ceresone; it has been documented since 1605. The grounds also contain a dovecote at the northern end of the path running through the estate.

Villa Maschio is a 13th-century complex with a tower in an extensive green setting. Only a few ruins of the castle of Arlesega remain today. Together with the churches and archaeological finds, these provide several historical themes that can be traced directly in Mestrino and its districts through specific buildings, works of art and artefacts.

Landscape and Paths by the Water

The western part of Mestrino, including Arlesega, belongs to the landscape area Pianura tra Padova e Vicenza; the remaining part belongs to the landscape area Pianura Agropolitana Centrale. Parco Bapi on Via Calatafimi in Mestrino is an equipped recreational area.

For active days, the Percorso dell’Asino offers clearly described guidance: it runs along the embankments of the Ceresone and Tesina rivers and connects Arlesega di Mestrino with Veggiano. The route begins on Via Kennedy in Arlesega and includes a 6-kilometre route and a 15-kilometre route. The Percorso dell’Asino is also connected to the cycle path along the Bacchiglione. The different route lengths help you adjust your plans to the desired intensity for the day.

Tradition, Village Life and Historic Dining

The Palio dell’Asino di Lissaro is a traditional donkey race involving the eight contrade of Lissaro. It takes place during the village festival for the patronal feast of Saint John the Baptist. After fifteen years, the Palio was granted the status of a recognised regional historic local event.

The Osteria dei fratelli Beggio is located in the historic centre of Mestrino and is a rare historic inn dating from the 17th to 18th centuries. It includes former stables and extensive porticoes that once served travellers passing through. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday house in Mestrino, you can therefore consider whether churches and historic buildings, the landscape around Arlesega, the path by the water or traditional events in Lissaro should be the focus of your stay.

Discover More Places

For further destinations in the same area, you can also explore San Giorgio In Brenta, Megliadino San Vitale, Treponti, Carmignano Di Brenta, Solesino, Arquà Petrarca, Santa Margherita and Mira.

To the main travel overview: Padua.