Lavandeto di Arquà: smell the purple!

I visited the lovely village of Arquà several times. But this time my visit was more peculiar, because I discovered the Lavandeto di Arquà Petrarca, a small plants nursery producing lavender, aromatic plants, lavender based cosmetics, essential oils, soaps, lavender sachets and also edible lavender.

When someone says “lavender” I immediately think to Provence. For ages I have been wanting to go there and see those immense fields covered in lavender plants: purple, violet, lilac, amethist. A dream! But I would have never thought to live a lavender experience 30 minutes from Padova.

I found out that lavender was very common in Arquà since after the second world war. The cultivation was later abandoned. Cristina, owner of the Lavandeto di Arquà, decided to restart this tradition in 2011 and go back to work after raising her three children. She wanted to retrieve this tradition and also offer something different and unique. And she did!

It was so hot that day! As you can see I wore my new hat, luckily! Anyway there were a couple of gazebos where visitors could shelter from the sun and chat.

The Lavandeto di Arquà is a family run business, so the lavandeto is small (but I’m sure it requires a great deal of work), just a field, with different kinds of the plant and different shades of colour (also white, I ignored the existence of white lavender). The lavanda is now in full bloom so you better go as soon as you can (if you are in the area).

It was a pleasure to walk between the lines of flowers, taking pictures and smelling that inebriating perfume. I also learned many things about this plant: it is a natural antidepressant, it can be useful against headache, joints pain, insects bites and sunburns.

And now I have a good news for lavender lovers (Rossella, this is for you): On September 4 there will be in Arquà’s piazza the Lavender Feast. Visitors will have the chance to taste lavender based menu, featuring also gelato, drinks and pastries. Experts will give advice to properly grow this beautiful plant. And they will also sell their home-made products. It is a wonderful opportunity for lavender lovers!