El Tezon

The building, belonging to the Serego family, popularly known as “el tezon,” represents a rare monument of Venetian civilization.

It is a dwelling connected to a large barn (in the shape of a shed), that was built in the 1500s to accommodate shepherds, flocks, and saltpeter production.

During the Venetian Republic, the tezons were controlled by the State, as saltpeter was obtained from sheep urine, which, when mixed with sulfur and coal, formed gunpowder.

The inscription on the facade recalls that it was erected in 1573, while Giovanni Bondumier was the Commissioner of Artillery and Andrea Contarini was the podestà of Cologna Veneta.

From 1799, it was occupied multiple times by French and Austrian troops. In 1915, it was restored by Count Alberto di Serego and transformed into a farm.

At the end of World War II, a dramatic episode of partisan guerrilla warfare occurred here, culminating in the death of four Germans.

In 2016, it was completely restored to become the headquarters of the Social Farm Tezon, where individuals in a state of psychological, physical, and social distress will receive assistance and support for recovery.