ESTE, VENETO, ITALY
BEGINNING A FRIENDSHIP
ESTE & FREDERICKSBURG:
BEGINNING A FRIENDSHIP
An overview of Fredericksburg’s Delegation Visit to
Este, Italy November 9-16, 2014
To explore a possible Sister City Association
between our two cities.
Farewell Dinner of Fredericksburg Delegation and Host Families
ESTE, ITALY: A BRIEF
INTRODUCTION
Este is an ancient pre-Roman city in the
Veneto, a province in northeast Italy, named
for the famous and beautiful city of Venice.
The Veneto Region, Italy
http://www.ciaoitaly.ne
t/veneto/este
Este, with a
population of
17,000, is in the
Padova District,
also named for a
famous city:
Padua, whose
university was
founded in 1222.
ESTE AND THE
EUGANEI HILLS
Este is a commune of the
ESTE
Euganei Hills
Padua
Venice
The Euganei Hills and Vineyards
ancient Euganei Hills region, the
area’s first national park. Its rich
volcanic soil nurtures excellent
wines, which have recently been
distinguished with their own
denomination: Colli Euganei.
In addition, the region is famous
for its spas and hot springs.
Bicycling trails chart scenic tours
throughout the area, and serve
as world-class training
destinations for avid cyclists.
Nature trails also wind their way
for hikers, bird watchers, and
botanical enthusiasts.
ESTE AND THE
EUGANEI HILLS
The Euganei Hills have long drawn
artists and thinkers to its ancient
hilltop towns.
Arqua Petrarca is one such town,
where the 12th century poet
Petrarch built a home which serves
as a destination for poets and
writers, such as the 19th Century
poets Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord
Byron.
ESTE
Excellent small hotels and
restaurants dot the hills and
enhance the tourist experience for
athletes, cultural tourists and nature
enthusiasts.
ESTE: HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
In the heart of Este stand
the remains of the walls
that once circled a
medieval city.
What was once the
protected city now is public
park and garden, and a small
restaurant as well as the
historic museum are built
incorporating part of the
fortifications.
The park is laced with
pathways, gardens, and
Renaissance statues. A
parking area outside the walls
serves also as public
gathering space. A short walk
leads to the central square of
the modern city.
ESTE: HISTORIC
HIGHLIGHTS
Este is regarded as the "cradle" of Venetian
civilization. Mocenigo Palace, the home of
the National Archeological Museum of the
Adige Valley, has one of the most important
Pre-Roman collections in Italy.
http://www.archeoveneto.it/portale/wpcontent/filemaker/stampa_scheda_estesa_inglese.php?re
cid=38
The National Museum of Este,
adjacent to the ancient town walls,
is filled with local pre-Roman
Etruscan and Roman-era ceramics,
stone works, amphora, metal
artifacts, jewelry, frescoes, as well as
medieval and Renaissance treasures.
ESTE: HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
A short walk from the old
city walls leads to the City
Square, a large
cobblestoned area
surrounded on four sides by
arcaded walks and some
elegant private homes. The
heart of Este’s commercial
center, the square and its
avenues house small private
enterprises, such as
pharmacies, restaurants,
and specialized boutiques.
At the end of the square
stands a stately tower,
which housed the gates to
the later Renaissance town.
This area turns into a lively,
bustling market on
Wednesdays, and
especially on Saturday
ESTE: CHARM AND AMBIENCE
Este’s streets, in season,
are arrayed with flowers
and plants. A Flower
Festival is held every
spring. Ancient buildings
are adapted to modern
commercial uses, with
entranceways tucked in
to the former archway
walls. A long portico
shelters many of the
boutiques along the main
square and adjacent
wide streets. The old, old
buildings do present
problems, but are
creatively adapted to
contemporary life.
ESTE
STREETSCAPES
ESTE: CIVIC
INTRODUCTIONS
Giancarlo Piva, Mayor of Este
met twice with the
Fredericksburg delegation.
The representatives
exchanged gifts on behalf of
the two cities. Mayor Piva is
supportive of continuing
efforts to establish twinning
efforts. A ceramic charger
depicting medieval Este, was
presented.
ESTE: CIVIC
INTRODUCTIONS
Luigina Businarolo, Director, Este City
Cities Association, for all 5 Este affiliates
Matteo Paiola, Assistant
to Mayor Piva, attended
many formal meetings
and social gatherings of
the Fredericksburg
group. Open and
solicitous of the group’s
visit on behalf of Este’s
interest in the twinning.
Walter Pieressa,
past Sister Cities
Association
director and Este
civic leader
ESTE: DIVERSE
ECONOMY
Agricultural Products and
Food Industries
Salamis and Prosciuttos
Cheeses
Wines
Pastas and breads
Large scale egg
production
• Flowers and
ornamentals
• Vegetables and fruits
•
•
•
•
•
ESTE: DIVERSE
ECONOMY
Small, Elite
Artisan Enterprises
• High-end, centuries-old
ceramic production
• High end, hand-crafted,
outer garments
• High-end, hand-crafted
boots and shoes
• High-end, hand-crafted
wedding and event
wear
ESTE: ECONOMIC DISCUSSIONS
Este participates in a
regional economic
consortium, Confindustria
Padova, headquartered
in Padua. Business and
Industrial leaders
cooperate in business
development efforts.
Alessandro Nardo heads
the efforts for its international development.
Este also participates in
an agricultural
consortium, Valbonna,
which works to build
partnerships to export
the region’s agricultural
products. Giovanni de
Marchi serves as export
manager.
•
•
•
Alessandro Nardo, director, Confindustria Padova.
Matteo Paiola, assistant to Mayor Piva, with Massimo
Giordano.
Massimo Giordano and Kathryn Willis, during
presentation. About 20 business representatives attended,
and participated in lively post-presentation discussion.
ESTE
CERAMICHE
PORCELLANE
GiovanniBattista Fadigati,
owner/director of Este Ceramiche
Porcellane, manufacturers of hand
painted porcelain.
Since pre-Roman times, Este has been
a renowned center for exquisite
porcelains. For over 500 years, ceramic
works have been housed in the same
building where Ceramiche Porcellane
has crafted fine porcelain, now under
the same family for nearly 200 years.
ESTE
CERAMICHE
PORCELLANE
The business creates exclusive
lines for such retailers as Tiffany’s
and Bergdorf-Goodman.
ESTE
CERAMICHE PORCELLANE
Giovanni Battista Fadigati,
the business owner/director,
led our tour from showroom
to atelier to furnace to
shipping.
At the height of Venice’s
glory, a canal was dug
between Este and Venice, in
order to transport porcelain to
the City with minimum
breakage. The canal still exists,
just next to the artisan
business.
Salumificio FONTANA
Proscuitti and Salumi
Salami and proscuitto are
artisanally crafted at this familyowned enterprise. Exceptional
quality achieved by careful
supervision have established this
house’s reputation for superior
charcuterie.
Francesco Fontana has headed
the business for decades, and now
is training his daughter to take the
reins.
Mr. Fontana is also active in Rotary
and in several business associations
to promote Este exports and
economic growth.
PRODOTTI ALIMENTARI CAVALALARI
PASTA PRODUCERS
Pasta is at the heart of
Italian cuisine. This Este
family have created
their home and their
company in one venue.
Egg pastas, farina
pastas, and fish roe
pastas are produced for
both domestic and
export markets.
ALICE CONFEZIONI DI DALL MONTA LAURA
JACKETS AND OUTERWARE FOR MEN AND WOMEN
This all-female small company custom crafts by
hand fine coats, vests, and jackets as contractors
with the world’s foremost clothing labels, including
Ralph Lauren. During this visit, samples for next year’s
winter wear were under production.
Artisan seamstresses attend to tiny details and guard
quality assurance in this close-knit business enterprise.
Even the resident dog is female!
Elegant bridal gowns; custom
tailored men’s wedding suits;
special event wear for women.
Hand crafted wedding jewelry.
Engraved invitations. Catering.
Historic and romantic venues.
Wines. Boutique hotels and
B&B’s. Flowers. Décor and
themed events. Photography.
Full service wedding
coordination.
Este’s fashion and hospitality
businesses have formed an
association to position Este as a
single-stop, across-the-board
wedding venue.
SPOSA D’ESTE
A WEDDING MARKETING
INITIATIVE
Pietro Paolo Pietrogrande
learned to sew and tailor from his
mother, who graduated from hat
making to full service couture,
teaching her son her craft. He
runs a men’s wedding shop, a
bridal shop, and a women’s
formal wear shop. He also heads
the Sposa d’Este initiative.
SPOSA D’ESTE
The consortium markets the concept
and services as SPOSA D’ESTE—Este
Wedding City. They have produced
promotional booklets, and launched a
campaign to draw wedding clients to
Este, the Euganei Hills, and the dozens
of ancient castles, churches, villas and
spas that serve as romantic settings for
the special day.
STIVALI S. R. L.
IN NEARBY FIESSO D’ARTICO
MAKERS OF GUCCI SHOES, SANDLES, BOOTS
Carefully dyed and
matched python skins,
butter-soft leathers, multigrained alligator skins—
these are a sample of the
materials used at this
artisan boot maker atelier
to craft footwear for
Gucci.
We toured the supply
room, the workshops, and
the show room where
buyers come to see
samples for future
creations.
We were not allowed to
photograph, but the
atelier is impressive!
MANFREDINI COLLEGE
A PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL
Manfredini College is housed
in what was once private villa
of a wealthy family. It now
serves as a two-to-four year
school (training varies) for
young adults wishing to learn
an applicable trade.
Combining scholastic,
scientific, cultural and
technical instruction, the
school offers instruction in
culinary arts and restaurant
management; electrical and
computer engineering;
graphic design; mechanical
engineering; business
applications, and tourism and
hospitality management.
MANFREDINI COLLEGE
A PROFESSIONAL TRAINING SCHOOL
Fr Marcon oversees students learning bar
service at Manfredini. Students alternate as
chefs and as client-tasters.
Founded and supported
by a Catholic brotherhood
dedicated to youth,
especially the economically
disadvantaged, Manfredini
is headed by Don Dino
Marcon.
Marco Ferrarato serves as
the coordinator for both
Manfredini College and for
Este’s Business Association.
MONTE FASOLO WINERY
EUGANEI HILLS
Monte Fasolo is an
impressive winery in the
nearby Euganei Hills. A 13th
Century church and guided
cellar tours compliment the
wine tasting experience.
Monte Fasolo wines
contributed strongly to the
creation of a distinct
appellation of wines for the
Euganei Hills district.
A spacious reception room
with a breathtaking view
looks over nearly 500 acres of
estate lands, 175 of which
are dedicated to vines.
Olive oils, grappa, honey,
and jams augment the
selections.
MONTE FASOLO WINERY
EUGANEI HILLS
The master blender at Monte
Fasolo, Dr. Antonio Paolo Froio,
created a new sparkling wine
for the house, which has rated
highly in several competitions.
Iona Vinokurtesva is Director
Assistant at Monte Fasolo,
and manages business
negotiations.
Both Friolo and Vinokurtesva
are members of Awemi, an
international wine producer
and distributor group.
MONTE FASOLO WINERY
EUGANEI HILLS
Monte Fasolo has diversified its offerings to
include 4,000 olive trees and 250 acres of
woodlands. Walking paths create a
pleasant natural setting. With its ancient
chapel, its hilltop setting, its large
reception room, and its wines, the
vineyard serves as a romantic special
occasion venue.
Ramazzotto Egg Production Farm
Lorena and Renato Ramazzotto live
in nearby Ospedaletto Euganeo,
where they harvest 10,000 eggs a
day, and care for 105,000 chickens.
The operation is energy-neutral, as they
recycle the chicken guano for fuel, and
grow grasses to burn to generate
electricity. In addition, they have acres
of solar panels, and feed additional
electrical energy back into the power
grid. They provide eggs for both Italian
and export markets, and their
production is strictly monitored to
comply with agricultural product
standards.
Alfredo Dal Santo
Pottery Shop
Hand crafted ceramics, inventive
design, well established in Este.
ESTE ROTARY CLUB
The Este Rotary Club is a
traditional, all-male
association, composed of
civic and business leaders,
bankers and association
directors, including Mr.
Fontana of prosciutto fame.
They hosted a lovely and
welcoming dinner for our
Rotary delegation.
The Este Rotary Club has
sponsored international
students within the Rotary
Student Exchange program,
and would be interested in
doing so again.
Rotary President Enzo
Alfonsi, a banker, exchanged
Rotary flags and seals with
Rotarian Chip Willis.
Este brought out its bon vivant presence for a
dinner, photo show, and lively entertainment
hosted by the Photography Club.
A photo slide show, representing both
Fredericksburg’s talent and Este’s fine work,
sampled the potential for future shared expositions.
A serenade by the Alpini Veteran’s Association
provided both nostalgia and joy. Friendships were
forged by shared artistic interests and plenty of
wine!
ESTE
PHOTOGRAPHY
CLUB
Claudio Gaggiofatto, r. President
An Este Scrapbook
Massimo Giordano’s Luncheon at the Italian
Army Officers Club, where he ran into an old
Army buddy from service in Croatia.
An Este Scrapbook
Lunch at hilltop
restaurant in Arqua
Petrarcha after seeing
Petrarch’s house.
Cocktail Party at Don and
Denise Culp’s Restored
Italian Stone Home
Farewell Evening, hosted by Lorena &
Renato Ramazzotto, a fundraising dinner for
a Catholic charity mission. The Ramazzottos
hosted Chip & Kathryn Willis.
Este and Fredericksburg: Much in Common
Population of Este: 17,000
Population of Fredericksburg: 19,000
60 miles from Venice
60 miles from Washington
Near large body of water
Near large body of water
Historically rich, and actively
involved in preserving heritage
Historically rich, and actively
involved in preserving heritage
Active arts community:
photography, ceramics
Active arts community: painting,
weaving, ceramics, photography
Wineries and agricultural heritage
Nearby wineries and farming
Restaurants, tourism, festivals
Restaurants, tourism, festivals
Light manufacturing and small
businesses
Light manufacturing and small
businesses
Successful Sister City involvement
Successful Sister City involvement
Este and Fredericksburg:
Shall We Talk?
• Economic Development potential
• Foods exchanges: bartenders, chefs
• Wines: cultural and economic potential
• Rotary International Programs
• Language training—adult reciprocal hosting
• Ceramics: Este renowned for ceramics—potter exchanges?
• Arts, photography shows, internships, “artist in residence,”
Visual arts, fiber arts, music, dance, re-enactments
• Historical heritage
• Student hosting and exchanges
• Faculty visiting scholars
• Technology training
• Tourism and hospitality
Este, Veneto, Italy
Beginning a Friendship