The best traffic-free bike rides around Zero Branco

The Parco dei Laghetti di Martellago is a 54-hectare naturalistic oasis born from the environmental redevelopment of former sand and clay quarries. Located between Martellago and Maerne, it represents one of the main green lungs of the Venetian mainland. The area develops around four main bodies of water, which today host a rich ecosystem of protected flora and fauna, with tree species typical of wetlands and numerous wild birds, also monitored with the support of the WWF. Equipped with flat paths ideal for jogging, walking, and cycling tourism, the park includes equipped areas for picnics, children's play areas, and a refreshment point. With access from Via Fornace and Via Ca' Bembo, it is an ideal destination for leisure and relaxation, easily accessible and integrated into local cycle paths.

Considered the "little sister" of the contemporary porta San Tomaso, it is located at the end of Borgo Cavour. It presents itself with its Istrian stone facade with three arches. On the external facade, the representation that stands out above all is the winged lion, symbol of Venice's power over the mainland. It takes its name from the nearby church dedicated to the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste. It was built in 1516, perhaps on a design by Alessandro Leopardi,

The former Badoere-Levada station is a fundamental stop on the Ostiglia-Treviso Cycle Route, located at a point where railway history meets one of the most unique architectures in the Veneto region. The structure reflects the typical style of the stations on the line, originally designed for strategic and commercial purposes, and today converted to welcome the flow of cycle tourists crossing the plain. A short distance from the route lies the famous Rotonda di Badoere, one of the most spectacular barchesse (rural mansions) in the region, which with its circular shape embraces the public space. The proximity between the former railway line and this eighteenth-century masterpiece makes the Badoere-Levada stop a perfect blend of the recovery of twentieth-century infrastructure and the enhancement of rural historical heritage.

The old Badoere railway station on the Treviso-Ostiglia cycle path.

The first section of the Treviso-Ostiglia cycle path entering the province of Padua.

Built in 1517 under the direction of the podestà Bartolomeo d'Alviano, Porta Santi Quaranta represents the monumental entrance to Treviso for those coming from the west (Padua or Vicenza). Together with Porta San Tommaso, it is one of the symbols of the defensive rebirth of the city carried out by the Republic of Venice in the 16th century. The name pays homage to the forty Christian soldiers martyred in Armenia, but during the period of Austrian rule it was renamed Porta Vendramin. The external facade, made of Istrian stone, follows a sober and elegant Renaissance style, with three arches, the central one intended for carts and the two side ones for pedestrians. Above the main arch stands the winged lion of Saint Mark, a symbol of Venetian power. A significant historical detail is the inscription celebrating the Serenissima's right to defend its borders. Today it marks the entrance to the Borgo Cavour district and is an integral part of the panoramic walk along the 16th-century walls.

The Cathedral of San Liberale and the adjacent Civic Tower represent the beating heart and historical soul of Castelfranco Veneto. The Duomo, an 18th-century masterpiece by Francesco Maria Preti, strikes with its imposing neoclassical facade which houses the famous Pala by Giorgione, one of the most enigmatic works of the Renaissance. Not far away, the Clock Tower stands tall above the medieval walls as a symbol of vigilance and power. Characterized by its Ghibelline battlements and the large dial that has marked the city's time for centuries, it serves as a privileged gateway to the castle. Together, these monuments create a unique dialogue between the military solidity of the past and the spiritual harmony of Venetian art.

A few kilometers were enough for the route to begin to tell its story. The creaking wood of a long bridge accompanied us towards one of the most silent and memory-laden places: the cemetery of the Burci. Amidst the still water and the vegetation that now reclaims every space, the wrecks of old boats emerge like forgotten thoughts, suspended between past and present. There time seems to slow down, almost to stop, and we too, for a moment, truly stop pedaling...