Among the Prosecco Hills lies a secret place that seems to come straight out of a fairy tale: Refrontolo. Let's discover it together.
With Hidden gems in Italy, we want to take you on a journey to discover the lesser-known but nevertheless extraordinary places in Italy. Today we will stop in Refrontolo, in the province of Treviso, Veneto. This small village is located in a unique landscape, that of the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2019. Its place name already describes its position; in fact, the name derives from the union of the two words "Ronco" and "Frontulo", which means "inhabited place in the woods".
Refrontolo is just one of the places to visit in the wonderful territory of the Prosecco Hills, where you can discover not only unique landscapes and villages but also delicious tastes and scents, after all here they produce one of the most famous Italian wines in the world! Let's see what treasures this little village has to offer.
Refrontolo and the Prosecco Road
Vineyards in Refrontolo
The small municipality of Refrontolo lies about thirty kilometres north of Treviso, where the landscape is dominated by gentle slopes covered with endless rows of vines: the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene. Refrontolo sits on a hilltop overlooking the Quartier del Piave plateau and its area is famous for the production of Refrontolo Passito DOCG red wine. The monument that characterizes this area is an ancient water mill located along the road that connects Refrontolo to the village of Rolle: the Molinetto della Croda.
Refrontolo is one of the places touched by the main route of the Strada del Prosecco e Vini dei Colli Conegliano Valdobbiadene (Prosecco Road). The Road was created in 2003 and includes, in addition to the original White Wine Road, three other routes that enhance the whole area, its different wine-growing landscapes and the many attractions, including historical and artistic ones, scattered along the hills between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. This area offers not only splendid and varied landscapes but also good food and excellent wines.
Molinetto della Croda
Molinetto della Croda
Refrontolo's most special monument is its ancient watermill. The Molinetto della Croda, situated in the Lierza valley, is one of the most evocative corners in the Marca Trevigiana, which in its almost four centuries of history has enchanted thousands of visitors.
It is a characteristic example of 17th-century rural architecture and, in addition to the mill, also includes accommodation for the caretaker family, a stable and a granary. After years of decay, in 1991 the mill was purchased by the Refrontolo municipality, which proceeded to carry out a thorough restoration, transforming it into a milling museum.
Things to see in and around Refrontolo
The landscape in Refrontolo
Refrontolo is the ideal place to venture, on foot or by bike, along the various hiking trails that surround the area, along which you can take a break in one of the many agritourism activities in the area to taste the delicacies of the territory.
In addition to the Molinetto della Croda, the historic centre of Refrontolo is home to splendid residences, including Villa Battaglia Spada. From Refrontolo you can easily reach Cison Valmarino, with its CastelBrando, and Follina, with its Abbey of Santa Maria, two of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Of course, how could you miss the two symbolic towns of this area, Valdobbiadene and Conegliano, perhaps following the paths that mark the Prosecco Road. Finally, all you have to do is reach Treviso, one of the most beautiful cities of art in the Veneto.
