Pictures of Veneto Italy

Here we have grouped together a collection of all the pictures of the Veneto region that didn't really fit on our Lake Garda, Verona, and Venice, Italy, photo pages.

The photos range from a haunted house, which is down the road from where our home once was, to a lovely one of the amazing seaside town of Chioggia, a miniature version of Venice, on an early spring morning.

Unfortunately, the ghost who often appears at the upper windows of the haunted house (so people say) doesn't seem to appear in our photo. Although at least a dozen people have written to me saying they see it in the photo in one of the windows at the top...mmm...I'm not convinced. What do you think?

People say that if you go closer on a night when the full moon is starting to rise, you are assured of seeing it. I have never been brave enough. After reading about the horrible end so many people have met with at that haunted castle in Venice (read about it here), I think you'll also do well to stay far away.

Besides the ghost, a favorite of mine are the last two photos of a little town in Liguria I love. It is a town that is typically Italian and not far from the Cinque Terre.

Arsiero

Arsiero is a tranquil little town that has lots to offer outdoor types and history buffs alike. Surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Dolomite Mountains, it's the gateway to all that the mountains can offer.

You'll pass through the town on the way to mountain villages like Posina (where my dad came from—more about that further down under the Posina section) and to the mountain sights and the scenic trails (like the famous 52 tunnels) that wind through verdant forests and alpine meadows.

Arsiero is also home to fascinating historical sites, including ancient churches, quaint chapels, and well-preserved medieval architecture. Here's more about the town.

Gardaland (click for more)

Piovene Rocchette

Piovene Rocchette is a lovely little town that many of my family members have lived in for many decades, although most of them originally moved down here from the mountain village of Posina after the end of World War II.

I no longer live in the town; however, my brother and many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins are still here.

The old town, with its lanes leading up to the huge and lushly forested hill above, is the highlight.

What is Piovene Rocchette most famous for?

Well, they once made great beer here; they produced high-quality wool and chocolates too (in the next-door town of Santorso).

The Rossi company, making textiles in Pioven Rocchette and Schio, was once one of the largest companies in all of Italy. They used to boast that Schio was the Manchester of Italy... not sure why they would want to compare lovely little Schio with big city Manchester... Schio is nothing like Manchester.

Anyway, both the chocolate factory in Santorso and the textile ones in Schio and Piovene Rocchette have long gone.

What's left to boast about? Well, the Asterix mural is a tribute to the artist who drew the Asterix comics, Alberto Uderzo, who grew up in France but had his family roots in Piovene Rocchette.

A Street Leading up the Mountain in Piovene Rocchette

A Haunted House in  Piovene Rocchette

The photo of this haunted Italian villa, known as Palazzina Fraccaroli, was taken by me in Piovene Rocchette—the ghost is normally at the top windows! This villa was owned by one of the richest families in the town; it was built for their son and his new wife, but, at least according to legend, they decided to move to Austria instead. The villa was never completed and was left abandoned in the mid-19th century. It was bombed in the Second World War and it has been left to decay ever since.

The Mountain Village of Posina

My father was born in a little hamlet in the mountains outside of Posina and this little village will always hold a special place in my heart. It is truly a beautiful place, an escape, and a place to find peace. There's lots to see here too, and tucked away next to a mountain stream is a little restaurant that serves the best gnocchi you will ever taste. Here is everything you need to know.

Elsewhere in Veneto

Chioggia Fish Market

Chioggia is a miniature Venice, and there are few tourists here either, which makes it a real joy to explore and a great experience for visitors to Italy who want a genuine experience of the real Italy.  Here's everything you need to know about Chioggia.

Liguria

One of our favorite spots in beautiful Liguria is Varigotti. It's a quaint little seaside village where the cottages are painted pretty colors, and lanes meander through them and onto the beach. Click for this and other Ligurian getaways!

Varigotti