Silea
Silea si trova a pochi chilometri a est di Treviso, distesa sulle due rive del fiume Sile, che ne ha plasmato la storia e continua...
Aktualisiert am 11 Juli 2026
Die Geschichte
Die Geschichte von Silea
History and origins
The origins of Silea are not entirely certain, but archaeological finds testify to settlements of pre-Roman Veneti populations along the banks of the Sile. In the Casacorba area, remains of pile dwellings and flint and clay tools have been discovered, attesting to the existence of stilt-house villages dating back around ten thousand years, when small tribes of hunter-gatherers chose these banks for their abundant water and rich natural resources. It is an extremely ancient history, making Silea's territory one of the most archaeologically significant in the whole province of Treviso.
The Sile river and the restera
The Sile rises in the territory of Vedelago and flows into the northern Venice lagoon after a course of about ninety-five kilometres, making it one of the longest spring-fed rivers in Europe. In 1683 the Republic of Venice diverted its course through the Taglio del Sile canal so that it would flow into the old bed of the Piave, dry at the time because that river had itself been diverted further east. Along the restera, the old towpath running beside the left bank, stands the former Mulino Mandelli, a fine example of industrial archaeology, along with Venetian villas such as the sixteenth-century Villa Barbaro Valier, today known as Villa Battaggia, with its elegant staircase descending toward the water.
What to see in the hamlets
Besides the main town, the municipal territory includes the hamlets of Sant'Elena, Cendon and Lughignano, all facing the Sile. In Sant'Elena stands the eighteenth-century Villa Celestia, distinguished by its striking sequence of large round arches; in Cendon the eighteenth-century Villa Fanio Cervellini stands out; and in Lughignano is Villa Barbaro Gabbianelli, which tradition says was given by Caterina Cornaro to her lady-in-waiting Fiammetta on the occasion of her wedding.
Nature and surroundings
Since 1991, the Sile River Regional Nature Park has protected the environmental character of the river across eleven municipalities in the provinces of Padua, Treviso and Venice, covering more than four thousand hectares: Silea is fully part of the park and one of the most convenient access points for exploring it on foot or by bike.
Getting there
Silea is a few minutes by car from the centre of Treviso and is conveniently connected to Venice, about twenty-five kilometres to the south, along the road that follows the course of the Sile: a strategic position for visiting both cities while staying in a quieter setting.
Experiences not to miss
- Percorrere a piedi o in bicicletta la restera lungo il Sile
- Walk or cycle the restera path along the Sile
Sehenswert
Sehenswertes in Silea
Pfade · Trovido Route
