Colognola ai Colli is a municipality in the province of Verona, located at the beginning of the Valley Illasi, on the slopes of the Lessini Mounts. The local economy is based on industrial and handicraft activities and the cultivation of the olives and vines, from which excellent wines are produced, including Valpolicella and Amarone.
The area was colonized by the Romans, who built their roads here, including the Via Postumia, and who imposed their more rational systems of division and utilization of the farmlands "centurie", which gave a profound change in the appearance of the area. Around 148 B.C. the settlement was only a small garrison to protect the Roman soldiers from attacks of the Cimbri and the Teutons, later after a few years of development it became an important trading centre and was proclaimed "vicus". The area was not spared from the Barbarian invasions that followed the Fall of Rome. Proclaimed Municipality, the inhabitants rebelled against Verona and for this, in 1231, the centre was razed to the ground. Later subjected to the Della Scala, to the Visconti and then to Venice, it was finally granted to noble families: Nogarola and Priuli. The later history is similar to other localities of the region.
Attractions:
- the Church of Santa Maria della Pieve, which was built in the XII century, on the ruins of the temple, entitled with engraved inscriptions to Mercurio. Today its presents several features completed during renovations in the XVII century: three nave plan with a gable roof, flanked by a Bell Tower with a square base, mullioned windows, pinnacles and very high spire;
- the Church of San Zeno, built using material from a pre-existing church. It was completed in the second half of the XVIII century and modified several times over the following years;
- the Parish Church of Saints Fermo and Rustico;
- the Church entitled to San Vittore;
- the Oratory of the Holy Cross;
- the XVII century Villa Maffei Faccioli;
- Villa Aquadevita;
- Villa Portalupi;
- Villa Peverelli;
- Villa Vanzetti;
- Villa Spinola.