Nervesa della Battiglia

by Pete Hussey
(UK)

About 20km north of Treviso (as the crow flies) in the vicinity of the small town of Nervesa della Battaglia there is found the interesting Osteria ai Pioppi nestled amongst the trees of a small forest and it lies way off the tourist trail.

In the summer months there are no walls, it is open to any breeze that may temper the seasonal heat. It's fare is rustic and the wine is served in earthenware jugs. If you prefer white tablecloths, waiter service and fancy Michelin star meals then this won't be for you but you would miss a great experience.

This is a place that local people frequent for good, honest, authentic food. The menu is displayed on large overhead boards and you wait in a queue until your number is called to collect your meal.

However, this isn't any ordinary osteria for, wander around the back and you will find an amazing adult size playground with all rides human powered by participants.

Apparently it has been built over the past 40 years by the owner and the word that springs to mind on seeing it is 'wacky'.

Did I use it? No I didn't!

Good though my lunch was I decided that I didn't want to see it again so soon after consumption. Instead we made our way to the gentle waters of the Piave river nearby and cooled our feet whilst observing the iridescent damsel flies flitting around.

This was, to me, the perfect way to spend a day surrounded by local people, no English spoken, no tourist menu and certainly no crowds following a raised umbrella! Excuse my indulgence of including myself paddling in the Piave!

Maria's reply: I know this park well and absolutely love it. I'd actually forgotten about it as it is a while since I was last there and you brought back a lot of happy memories. Thank you for that Pete.

As I mentioned in the Facebook group, there is quite a story behind the park and behind the man who build all the rides, with his bare hands, simply because of his love for machinery, and, more importantly, his love for children. It is quite a long story so, rather than me telling it, rather watch this excellent video which captures more of it in a few minutes:

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Aug 15, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Beautiful park
by: Donna M

Lovely article - The park looks like a lot of fun
Jul 10, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Playtime fun and games
by: Marylyn

Thank you Pete for introducing me to this amazing 'secret' playground.

There is nothing like it here in Victoria, Australia I am sure.

And to think, this all came about through the imagination of one man with a child like fascination for fun and games.

It reminds me of some of the older playground equipment that I used to play on as a kid and that was quite a few years ago, I can tell you.


Molto apprezzato
Marylyn

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