TRECENTA
TRECENTA
LUIGI MASETTI

Luigi Masetti was born on 28 December 1863 in Trecenta, where he came into contact with Nicola Badaloni, a doctor and politician whose ideas of equality and freedom he was fascinated by.

He studied at the technical schools in nearby Lendinara, which he reached on the back of a mule, coming into contact with Alberto Mario and his wife Jessie White.

Subsequently in 1884, just twenty years old, he emigrated from Polesine with his two sisters to Milan, supported financially by his life teacher Doctor Nicola Badaloni. Here he discovered the bicycle, as he himself defined it, the tool that from then on would accompany him on the various adventures that would lead him to explore the world.

In Milan he will also complete his studies, obtaining an accountant diploma which will lead him to work in Lugano employed in a trading house. Here, however, he realized that his passion was different and he studied Latin and Greek as a self-taught until he obtained his high school diploma; and in 1890 he enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Pavia. Luigi Masetti is therefore an intelligent and shrewd character and soon his desire to discover will lead him to a life full of extraordinary undertakings and long journeys.

For a long time his end remained shrouded in an aura of mystery, but today it can be stated with certainty that the date of his death dates back to 22 May 1940 in Milan, where he is buried in the Major Cemetery.

THE " VIAGGISSIMO "

It was 1892, when Luigi Masetti, with a map torn from a school atlas in his pocket, made his first solo journey to discover Europe, traveling over 3,500 km by bicycle.

The following year, in 1893, sponsored by Corriere della Sera, he made the journey: starting from Milan he reached Liverpool and then crossed the ocean to reach New York. Having arrived here he does not stop, he continues on to Chicago, where he saw the great Universal Exposition. Finally he arrives in Washington, welcomed by Grover Cleveland, then President of the United States. Masetti, during this very long and adventurous 7000 km long journey, sent continuous epistolary testimonies to the Milanese newspaper, allowing us to have a reportage of the time.

Subsequently, he made other amazing journeys, touching Europe again, crossing the United States and reaching Russia and the Middle East – conversing among others with Leo Tolstoy – always supported by his beloved bicycle and his indomitable desire to discover and learn . It is no coincidence that Corriere della Sera itself called him the “two-wheel Anarchist”.

THE SCULPTURE

The author selected for the creation of the work dedicated to Luigi Masetti is Alberto Cristini. Born in Polesine and a pharmacist by training, he dedicates himself at the same time to one of his greatest passions, art. His works are visible in many public places, not only in the Veneto, but also abroad. In painting, he is known for having invented swimming-painting (the photo where he is portrayed painting en plein air immersed in the waters of the Grand Canal in Venice is famous)

The monument, inaugurated on May 22, 2022, slender and essential, has as its central point the representation of a globe, which is empty in the center but delimited by parallels and meridians and houses the figure of the cyclist in the center, both made of corten steel. The sculpture in turn rests on a concrete cube covered in marble, bearing the inscription “To Luigi Masetti: the pioneer who pedaled around the world”.

With this monument, therefore, Luigi Masetti seems to metaphorically return to his land with his inevitable travel companion, the bicycle.

 

ITINERARY INFO
- Itinerary

Points of interest – Itinerary

Luigi Masetti

Senator Nicola Badaloni

Pepoli Palace

San Maurelio Church

- Information

Information Municipality of Trecenta

URP trecenta@comune.trecenta.ro.it

Website: www.comune.trecenta.ro.it

Library – Tel: 0425/701089/ email: biblioteca@comune.trecenta.ro.it

Cemetery -Timetable:

Winter: 8.00 – 12.00  /  14.00 – 18.00

Summer: 8.00 – 12.00  / 15.00 – 19.30

 

Car charging station

Via E. De Amicis, 18

 

Useful addresses

Comando Stazione Carabinieri Trecenta

Comando Stazione Carabinieri Nucleo Forestale Trecenta

Comando Polizia Locale -Piazza G. Garibaldi, Trecenta – 0425/700236

email: poliziamunicipale@comune.trecenta.ro.it

Casa Divina Provvidenza S. Antonio

 

Schools

Scuola dell’Infanzia e Asilo Nido integrato B.L. Guanella

Istituto Comprensivo Badia – Trecenta – Scuola primaria e secondaria di primo grado

Scuola IPSAA M & T Bellini

 

Pharmacies

Farmacia Santa Maria delle Grazie, Via G. Matteotti, 127

Farmacia Petracchini, Via E. De Amicis, 50

 

Hospital

Ospedale San Luca, Via Ugo Grisetti, 265

- Typical products

The jewels in the crown of the gastronomic typicality of the Trecenta area are made up of the dairy, fish production (some bodies of water of natural origin have been used for this farming) and cured meats (the famous salami and cotechino).

Precisely the latter have obtained recognition as traditional agri-food products of the Veneto.

Salami in Trecenta, but also in the whole Polesine area, represents the symbol of hospitality

From the close bond with the Este family, Trecenta has assimilated traditions, history and culture which are also evident in the gastronomic field; in particular, in the packaging and preservation of pork sausages, processing methods and the use of ingredients are found which lead to substantial differences, especially in taste, compared to other parts of the Veneto. Over the centuries, every single producer has jealously guarded and handed down to family members their art in the production of cured meats, a secret to be jealously protected which takes on an almost mystical ritual and an intimacy that is difficult to penetrate.

- Pro Loco

The Proloco di Trecenta was founded in 1988, with the main aim of valorising its territory (Gorghi, Palazzo Pepoli, Paintings of the church of Sariano, old Dossi manor court), and the typical food products such as Salami da cutting and Cotechino di Trecenta, which have been recognized as traditional agri-food products (Veneto reg. decree of 19/06/2007 – Official Gazette no. 147 of 27/06/2007).

President pro tempore  CINZIA   DAVI’  cell. 339-4702928