The Centuriation in Veneto

The trail leads to discover the remains of the Roman invasion which are still visible in the Veneto countryside. As in many other conquered territories, Roma implemented an agricultural subdivision (the so-called centuriation) in the Veneto flat in order to improve the organization and the exploitation of the land. This system was so valid as to be still used nowadays. The standard subdivision (each time adjusted to the land features) consisted in a division of 20 x 20 acuts squares (which corresponded to 710 x 710 m), bounded by roads and trenches, which were assigned to colonies. The trail implies the visit of two famous centuriated areas, both of them nearby Padua: one is located in the north-east part of the town (S. Giorgio delle Pertiche, Camposampiero, Borgoricco, S. Maria di Sala) and the other one is located in the town center south part (Granze, Villadose). In addition to the above-mentioned Roman centuriation visitable in the countryside, it is possible to understand this system structure and realization by visiting some local museums.

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NOTE LOGISTICHE
The trip will last half a day travelling by car (110 Km in total). Starting from Cittadella take the SR 53 up to Castelfranco Veneto and then the SR 308 until Borgoricco; go out at the beginning of the village in Via Piovega-via S. Leonardo and then turn right in Viale Europa. The museum is provided with car parking. Before taking the road to Granze, it is recommended to drive in the Borgoricco-S. Maria di Sala-Villanova di Camposampiero area to enjoy the ortagonal network of roads which perfectly imitates the ancient agricultural divisions. To reach Granze, take the SR 308 again and drive until Padova-via Guizza; then take exit no. 9 entering A13 Bologna direction; go out at Boara and follow Via Roma/SS16 direction (follow direction to Monselice/Stanghella/Adriatica). From Stanghella continue on the SP 45 – SP 8 until Granze (the Roman Centuriation Center is in the middle of the village and it is possibile to park nearby it). To reach Villadose, go back to Stanghella and take the SS 16 – Tangenziale est of Rovigo; go out from the Tangenziale following indications to Villadose (SR443). The Roman Centuriation Museum is situated at the town hall.