The orchard preserving more than 100 rare apple and pear varieties

About

An autumn visit to Lusiana Conco, in the mountains north of Vicenza, can include old orchards, fruit to buy and apple fritters in the village square. The Pomo Pero trail passes through farming hamlets and the collection orchard at Contrada Bose. Allow about an hour and 45 minutes for the 4.2 kilometre circuit, with 200 metres of ascent, and leave time for the exhibition and food stalls during the October festival. Below, discover how these varieties are being carefully preserved and where you can see and taste them today.

THE STORY↓
NATURE LOVERS ↓
WHERE TO EAT & BUY ↓

THE STORY

After retiring from the forestry service,  Antonio Cantele, a former forestry marshal from Lusiana and one of the local experts helped identify old fruit varieties across the Vicenza area, began searching farms and private gardens after retirement for apples and pears that were disappearing from cultivation. Some survived in only a few trees. His knowledge later became part of the conservation work of Veneto Agricoltura, the regional agency responsible for agricultural research, biodiversity and the preservation of traditional plant varieties. The agency specifically credits Cantele with helping identify historic Vicenza cultivars and their old uses. Among them were the Pero del Vin, literally the “wine pear”, once used for cider, and the Renetta Rivabella, an old apple valued for cakes and strudel because its relatively dry, sweet and tart flesh holds up well in the oven.

Veneto Agricoltura’s conservation catalogue includes names such as Renetta Rivabella and Pero del Vin Lusiana, literally the “wine pear”. They belong to the region’s documented collection of older fruit varieties, maintained through specialist conservation orchards.  There is also a European chapter to this agricultural history. The Province of Vicenza’s botanical account records how emigrants working in France, Belgium and Germany introduced shoots for grafting onto local trees. Family orchards accumulated varieties through travel as well as generations of local cultivation.

NATURE LOVERS?

For a longer stay, nearby visits include Parco del Sojo, an outdoor sculpture park among woodland and limestone; the Valle dei Mulini, the Valley of the Mills; and the reconstructed prehistoric village at Monte Corgnon. Check the opening arrangements for each site separately. The Giardino Alpino Dario Broglio on Monte Corno belongs to a different season: its published regular opening runs from May to September. 

WHERE TO SEE, TASTE AND BUY THE FRUIT ↓

POMO PERO 2026

Meeting point: Val Fontana, Lusiana, Lusiana Conco, Vicenza
Sunday 11 October 2026, departure at 09:30
Approximately three hours · €5 per person, payable at departure
Organiser email info@pomopero.bio
Visitor information +39 0424 406743

FOR THE CONSERVATION ORCHARD

Campo Catalogo delle antiche varietà di mele e pere
Contrada Bose, Lusiana Conco, Vicenza
Orchard enquiries, Opfel on Pira info@pomopero.bio
Visitor information +39 0424 406743

More than 100 old apple and pear varieties grow in this collection orchard. The Sentiero Pomo Pero reaches Contrada Bose during its circuit from Val Fontana. Contact the association about orchard access, guided visits and activities; fruit purchases are advertised at the festival market.

FOR A WALK AMONG OLD FRUIT TREES

Sentiero Pomo Pero
Start and finish: Parcheggio Val Fontana, Lusiana, Lusiana Conco, Vicenza
4.2 kilometre circuit · approximately 1 hour 45 minutes · 200 metres of ascent
Route information +39 0424 406743
Email ufficioturistico@comune.lusianaconco.vi.it