The Brenta is a river that originates from Lake Caldonazzo and flows southward down the Valsugana valley and as far as Bassano. It then runs through the plain before reaching the northern part of Padua where it splits into two branches.
One branch of the river continues straight towards the lagoon south of Venice, while another branch, the well-known Naviglio del Brenta, follows its winding path to Noventa Padovana through Stra, Fiesso, Dolo, Mira, Fusina and finally ends its course by flowing into Venice. Noventa Padovana used to be Padua’s ancient river port,’ says Alessandro Berto, commander of the M/n Freccia, a boat that sails along the waters of the Brenta River. ‘Here, at one time, boats coming from Venice would stop and both passengers and goods would be brought to Padua on wagons and carriages. When in 1209 the works on the Piovego Canal were completed, the fluvial port of Portello in Padua was finally connected to the Naviglio del Brenta and thus to Venice.’
Nowadays, “sailing along the Brenta River has brought to the area numerous economic benefits”,’ says Alessandro, “About sixty thousand people a year visit our Villas every year and dine at the restaurants or stay at the hotels of the Riviera del Brenta. And whilst Il Burchiello operates every year from March to October, covering the Padua – Riviera del Brenta – Venice tourist line and vice versa, there are also several other boats and motorboats chartering services for group or event excursions, with full-day or half-day itineraries and programmes.”
