SANTA MARIA DI SALA

Right in the middle of the ‘grid’ layout, with square roads and farmland that still follows the ancient centuriazione, or Roman land division. Countryside with streams and farmhouses gives way to industrial landscapes and to fine architecture, like the 18th-century Villa Farsetti, much of which can now be seen in the town centre, surrounded by its grounds. The parish church – built around 1600 – was also once under the ownership of the feudal lords.

In Caltana (located at the crossroads of the cardine and decumanus) is an 18th-century church and Villa Piatti, followed by Villa Emo and others built in the 17th and 18th century along via Desman (from S. Angelo), including Villa Conti, Villa Minio and Villa Morosini. There are also other interesting places like Stigliano, where a fortress was built as early as the year 1000 on top of a Roman castrum. The Da Carrara family and the Venetians transformed it into a castle that can still be seen today. The town still has many of its ancient features, with farmhouses and mills around the fortress. Medieval re-enactments take place and there is a packed calendar of events.