The most accepted historical opinion attests that the town's name derives from the old Venetian dialect "pescante" (dip or fisherman). It is a municipality in the province of Verona, located along the banks of the Adige river and the city's economy is based primarily on agriculture (fruit trees and vineyards that produce excellent wines such as: Recioto, l' Amarone and Valpolicella DOC). The origins of the first permanent settlement are ancient: the area belonged to Arusnati (an ancient Italic population). The most significant traces date back to the Roman colonization, with several innovations and the creation of important infrastructure, such as the Via Claudia Augusta. After the Fall of the Empire the area submitted s certain decadence and was subject to various incursions by the Barbarians. During the Middle Ages the area submitted the influence and the domain of the Carolingian, the Germanic and the Scala Family. In the early years in the XV century the inhabitants were directly involved in the clashes between Carrara and Venetians. The subsequent Venetian rule brought peace, development and wealth until the arrival of Napoleon in the late XVIII century, when the population suffered bloody reprisals by the French. Later the town was subject to the Habsburg government, until its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy.
Attractions:
- the XVIII century Cathedral of St. Lawrence Martyr, which features a rich façade, set on two floors divided by a frame and decorated with semi columns with bases and capitals, pilasters and a portal engulfed in an arch. It is topped by a gable and some statues. The structure is flanked by a tall Bell Tower with very heterogeneous architectonic styles. The base is square and is divided into two parts separated by a frame, both are decorated with half columns, the other half of the octagonal structure is interrupted by tall, narrow lancet windows, this part is finished by a sort of balcony to center of which is a cylindrical structure with several floors, topped by a hemispherical drum coverage;
- the XVIII century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy;
- the XII century Church of San Michele Arce;
- the XV century Church of Saint Anthony;
- the XII century Church of Saint Lucia;
- the XV century Church of San Rocco;
- the Villa Albertini - Da Sacc, built between the XVII and XVIII centuries;
- the XVI century Villa Vascone-Bricci; - the XVI century Court La Presa;
- the XVII century Villa Bertoldi;
- the XV century Villa Sparvieri;
- the XVII century Villa Quaranta;
- the Ethnographic Museum.