The first place of memory related to Nievo that one encounters, starting from Cordovado, is the square of the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin whose memory alleviated the suffering of the agony of the Cordovado native Bruto Provedoni, in the XXII chapter of the Confessions:

“… Colonel Giorgi and Corporal Provedoni, wounded on the bridge by a bomb, had been transported to the Military Hospital, from where it was not possible to move them due to the severity of the wound. I arrived more dead than alive, and found them lying on two little beds next to each other, talking about their youthful years, their past wars, their common hopes like two friends about to fall asleep… – It's curious! -whispered Alessandro- I feel like I'm in Brazil! – And I feel like I'm in Cordovado on the square of the Madonna!- replied Bruto” (chap. XXII).

Walking along the avenue of the station (in front of the sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin), on the left stretches a vast meadow which is the green remnant of an ancient meadow and pastureland that constituted a significant part of the communal assets of the court of Venchiaredo. Currently owned by the municipalities of Cordovado and Sesto al Reghena, it is at the center of a conservation and environmental redevelopment project, called “Prati della Madonna”. 

The charm of the place had impressed both the Venetian Lieutenant and Bishop Gabrieli (1775-1784) who, according to a note of the time, “used various places of the Pious House, having fallen in love with the beautiful view opposite this Church”. Even Countess Giulia Mainardi-Marzin (1877-1971), the last inhabitant of Palazzo Mainardi and distant cousin of Ippolito Nievo, loved to enjoy the sunset over the green of the meadow and left as a spiritual testament the commitment not to ruin the splendid naturalistic scenery.