27. Il Sentiero del Principe

GETTING TO THE TRAIL
In Este, take Via dei Cappuccini and pass Arco del Falconetto. The path can also be reached by walking along the castle walls that line the road to Calaone.

FEATURES:
Duration: 2 hours (Time is intended for a trained hiker, it could vary depending on the preparation and the interest for the itinerary features).
Difficulty level: none
Length: 6.1 km
Difference in height: about 200 m
Recommended period for the visit: throughout the year
Involved municipalities: Baone, Este

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The trail threads its way along the literary sites, for example the “Literary Park of the Estense Hill”, belonging to the Trovatori Castle, that have sung Beatrice to the Falconetto Arch – Ruzante’s Cornaro patron; from the ex Kunkler Villa, where Shelley composed some of his most important works until Calaone, with a possible detour to the previous Convent of Salarola. Along the way there are some architectonical monuments that are among the most interesting in Este, like the Vigna Contarena Ville and the Prince Palace, without forgetting the naturalistic values, from the historical pine forest to the autochthonous flora.
The first part of the trail starts from Via dei Capuccini, in Este’s historical centre, next to the Falconetto Arch. The road continues along the walls enclosing the historical gardens of the Estensian Patrician Villas, leading to a panoramic widening at the back of the Mastio Castle; the uphill road has to be taken, that goes along the old Pine forest, until the Prince Palace (Palazzo del Principe). From here, the trail traces the old track for the village of Calaone, with a great viewpoint on the western hills, the level ground, the elegant hedgerows and gardens. From Calaone one descends to the old road, deviating on the section of the trail recently paved which reaches the main hairpin turns of the main road that brings to Este.
Taking the Principe trail, situated in the south west angle of the Park, a complete observation is possible of the typical landscape features concerning the connection between the Euganean hills and the Venetian plain. In the south western tract, on the Prince Palace’s side, our gaze goes to the gentle slope cultivate at the base of the Cero hill, contiguous to a vast flat area, where the main elements are the ducts and the hydraulic systems created by men.
It is also recommended, from Calaone the deviation to Salarola, near the centre of the village along the road that descends and leads to Baone. Once, the place hosted a Church and a female monastery chosen by Beatrice d’Este when she left the court life. From this site one can continue towards the deviation to the suggestive Muneghe Fountain, in the narrow valley in the eastern side of the Cero Mountain and the Salarola hill.
After having passed the trail, along the downhill road the direction of Este, one can observe the transition to the urbanized environment, gradual and well amalgamated in the hilly environment, where the cultivations blend with rural hilly dwellings and villas pertaining to the city.
Apart from the historical centre and the broad intercity suburbs, the Plain extends towards the South. When there is an excellent visibility, one can see the low plains of the Paduan territory, where the Solesino bell tower stands out; in the eastern direction, one can catch sight of Mount Cecilia and the Monselice Cliff, the last morphological traits of the Euganean complex that emerge from the alluvial deposits of the plain.