All posts in PAESI

21 Mag

Sappada

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Sappada / Plodn, a German-speaking enclave, stretches along the main road for about five kilometres and is divided into fifteen hamlets (heivilan). All around there are imposing mountains which are a couple of hours’ walk from the centre of the town. In the old part of the village, “Sappada Vecchia”, there are several 17^th and 18^th century wooden houses constructed with the Blockbau technique. Typical features of each hamlet are fountains, crucifixes, chapels; other symbols of faith, such as crucifixes and chapels, are dotted around the countryside. Among the most notable churches are the parish church, dedicated to St Margaret, built in baroque style in 1779 with paintings by Renzler, Moro and Barazzutti, St Oswald’s in Cimasappada(1732) and the church Regina Pacis (1973). There are many local traditions and customs, from the language (plodarisch) to the Carnival (Vosenòcht) which has its symbol in the stern character “Rollate”. A visit to the local museums offers the opportunity to learn about history and culture: the ethnographic museum “Giuseppe Fontana”, the museum of rural life and the Little museum of the Great War. Moreover the painter Pio Solero was born here. Sappada is a well-known tourist resort both in winter, thanks to the skiing facilities, and in summer, when visitors can enjoy the many beauties of the valley: the alpine fauna park, with fallow deer and chamois, the waterfalls on Rio Mühlbach, the Acquatona gorge at the entrance to the village, a deep ravine cut by the river Piave that rises in the nearby Val Sesis, and the lakes d’Olbe right up in the mountains.

INFO
Comelico & Sappada tourist association: 0435.428343
info@sappadadolomiti.com / www.sappadadolomiti.com
Sappada tourist office: 0435.469131
www.sappada-plodn.com

21 Mag

San Pietro di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Two villas dating from the heyday of the Venetian Republic are the jewels of the village: Villa Poli-De Pol-Sammartini in the hamlet of Mare (visits to the ground floor and the garden on request) and Villa Poli-De Pol in San Pietro, now the Town Hall (the whole building is open to visits). Built between 1665 and 1668 under Venetian rule, it has an imposing entrance hall with the main staircase leading to the first floor, where you can admire the 17^th century frescoes by Gerolamo Pellegrini. St Peter’s church was originally built in the 13^th century, but it was renovated and extended in the 18^th century. It hosts an altar piece by Marco Vecellio. Costalta, in a panoramic position on the flanks of Monte Zovo, preserves the traditional rural architecture of the area. As you walk along the village streets, you can admire several historic houses made of wood and, as a sort of counterpoint to the buildings, about thirty contemporary sculptures, including a bronze statue by Augusto Murer. “Angiul Sai” is another traditional house now turned into a museum; it hosts an exhibition centre and serves as a good example of traditional rural homes. The parish church is dedicated to St Anne and dates from the 16^th century, although the latest renovation work was carried out in 1862. Valle is another hamlet situated at a lower altitude; here is the newly built church of St Francis of Assisi, whereas in Presenaio there is a chapel dedicated to St Wolfgang which was dedicated in 1420, although it was built in the previous century.

INFO
www.valcomelicodolomiti.it
tourist office: 0435.67021 / 0435.62230

21 Mag

Santo Stefano di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Santo Stefano, renowned as a centre for timber trading, had several mills and workshops until the end of the last century. The parish church was built in the 13^th century: the choir dates from 1478, whereas the three naves were constructed between 1665 and 1675 to plans by fra’ Tomaso Simonetti from Ancona. The church hosts works by Tomaso Da Rin and Cristoforo Monforte, while one of the altars is by Brustolon’s pupils. The original settlement was in the hamlet Transacqua, where the first Christian chapel was erected, in the same spot where now stands the church of Our Lady of Graces and the nearby Casa Betting dating from 1600. In the village there are also two ancient chapels built with tuff, one of them holds an ancient statue of the Virgin Mary dating from the 15^th century.

Travelling towards Comelico Superiore, the first hamlet on the way is Casada, where you can visit the little church (1855) dedicated to saints Lawrence and Oswald. Further along in Costalissoio there is the museum of the surrealist artist Luigi Regianini. The collection holds contemporary works by the painter and is enriched every year by new additions. Other notable works in the village are the statue “to the Homeland” by Augusto Murer and the church of the Holy Trinity (1853) with a painting by Zanzotto. He was the father of the poet Andrea Zanzotto and a freeman of the village. Travelling north you arrive in Campolongo with the church dedicated to Saints Philip and James. Although originally built in the 14^th century, it was renovated in the 18^th century; there are some notable paintings and a statue of Our Lady of Health made by Raffaele Piazza in the early 1900s. Val Frison is well-known for its wonderful natural environment, the remains of the blockhouses, and St Oswald’s chapel, rebuilt at the end of the 1920s.

INFO
www.valcomelicodolomiti.it
tourist office 0435.67021 / 0435.62230

21 Mag

San Nicolò di Comelico

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

The most remarkable works of art of the village are to be seen in St Nicholas’ church (end of the 12^th century); both the village and the church bear the bishop’s name. Inside you can admire the wonderful frescoes by Gianfrancesco da Tolmezzo and a painting attributed to Cesare Bagni. In the hamlet of Gera, Casa Vettori is a fine example of the architecture of the aristocracy, whereas in the vicinity there is the church of the Holy Trinity and St Julia. The body of the saint, held in the church, was bestowed by cardinal Costantino Patrizi to baroness Cecilia Colissis Vettori. One of the works of art to be seen here is a remarkable painting by Lazzarini, with Saints Victor and Corona, the Holy Trinity and St Michael. In the hamlet of Campitello there is the more recent chapel of the Holy Heart. The hamlet of Costa offers wonderful views over the entire Comelico and also the opportunity to visit St Daniel’s chapel with some paintings by local artists Pio Solero and Danilo Soligo.

INFO
town hall: 0435.62314
Val Comelico Dolomiti tourist association: 0435.67021 / 0435.62230
www.valcomelicodolomiti.it

21 Mag

Danta di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Situated 1,400 metres above sea level, Danta enjoys a superb scenic location amongst the greenery of the conifer woods. Particularly noteworthy are four peat bogs, habitats rich in water and marshland where several fragile ecosystems have developed. A network of footbridges gives access to the area, which is spread over 200 hectares and is well equipped with information boards. Together with the habitat in Coltrondo, this is one of the most important naturalistic sites in the region, thanks to the number of rare species, its flora and vegetation. The small paleontological museum “Le radici della vita” (The roots of life) displays some unusual fossils, illustrating the development of life from its origins up to the Stone Age. The museum was set up by the naturalist Bruno Berti and part of the fossil collection was a gift of the Ligabue Foundation in Venice. In Danta you can also admire the more modern church of St Barbara and the church of Saints Rocco and Sebastian dating to the end of the 18^th century with paintings by Tomaso Da Rin, Barberis and Titian’s school.

INFO
www.valcomelicodolomiti.it
tourist office: 0435.67021 / 0435.62230

21 Mag

Comelico Superiore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Padola, a winter sports resort, was already known as a spa in the 19^th century thanks to the hot springs in Valgrande. The river Padola is straddled by a man-made barrage, la Stua, recorded since 1521, which used to regulate the floating of timber and which is now a museum artefact. The parish church, dating from the 19^th century and dedicated to St Luke the Evangelist, houses works by Tomaso Da Rin and De Lorenzi. In Padola there is also the chapel of Our Lady of Graces built in 1859, and St Anne’s church built in 1699. In the parish church in Dosoledo, dedicated to Saints Rocco and Oswald, you can admire an altar by the sculptor Andrea Brustolon, while in the nearby Casamazzagno, in a scenic position, stands the beautiful church of St Lawrence, built in late gothic style in 1545 by Nicolò Roupel. According to the documents of the local statute Laudo della Regola, Candide is the oldest village; its church, built in the 18^th century in honour of Our Lady of the Assumption, was designed by Felice Del Fabbro and was frescoed by Giovanni De Min, with other works by Pietro D’Andreis, Giovanni Rossi and Guido Reni. Another building by Nicolò Roupel is St Anthony’s chapel next to the parish church. There are some impressive residences in Dosoledo such as Palazzo Zandonella-Dall’Aquila, and in nearby Candide, Palazzo Gera and Casa Monti Giacobbi. Candide also hosts an Alpine Garden with several rare alpine species. Those interested in learning about the Ladin culture, which still flourishes in the valley, could visit the multimedia centre Spazio Algudnei (Dosoledo), the Museum of Alpine and Ladin Culture (Padola) or the museum of local traditions “La Stua” (Casamazzagno). Alternatively a stroll along the path “I quattro Trói” with its wooden sculptures offers an insight into the traditions at carnival time, local crafts and festivals.

INFO
www.valcomelicodolomiti.it
tourist office: 0435.67021 / 0435.62230

21 Mag

Selva di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Selva di Cadore and the surrounding hamlets are a treasure trove of archaeological and historic gems. Not to be missed is the ancient church of St Lawrence which holds an altar piece by Antonio Rosso and, in the village of Santa Fosca, the church dedicated to the same saint that boasts a tabernacle by Brustolon. The picturesque hamlets of Pescul, with St Rocco’s chapel, and l’Andria, with St Oswald’s shrine, are set in the typical rural landscape of this part of Cadore, and the same is true of Villa, Rova and Solator. A piece of local history revisited is to be found in the little museum devoted to the volunteer fire brigade, called in the local language destuda fuoch. But the history of Cadore started long before, when dinosaurs large and small waded through the primeval lagoons and later literally left their mark in the Mesolithic period. This journey into pre-history is made possible by a visit to the recently refurbished museum Vittorino Cazzetta in Selva. An evocative and exciting trail takes you through different historic ages: it begins with the formation of the Dolomites and the study of dinosaurs’ footprints and fossils. The prehistoric section is well represented by the remains of the man found in Mondeval, who lived 7500 years ago and whose burial outfit and tools are among the richest in the world. Finally you come to the proto-historic section (findings from the Aeneolithic excavations in the Mandriz site, which is open to visits) and the more recent ancient Venetian and Roman history.

INFO
tourist office: 0437.720243
www.valfiorentina.it | info@valfiorentina.it

21 Mag

San Vito di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

San Vito di Cadore is an elegant tourist resort in the heart of the Dolomites. This small mountain town is a place where you can feel at home, whether you wish to engage in active sporting activities or simply to take a break from your daily routine. In summer, there are numerous walks on marked footpaths leading to refuges, mountain dairy farms, places of historic or cultural interest.

If you wish to enjoy being in the mountains without the strain of a long excursion, a chairlift takes you in a few minutes up to Rifugio Scotter, at 1,580 metres a.s.l., at the foot of Mount Antelao. Alternatively, visitors can take a stroll around the village, and pay a visit to the parish church or the wonderful church of Our Lady of Defence. The cycleway Lunga Via delle Dolomiti passes through San Vito: the itinerary has its starting point in Valpusteria, goes through Cortina and then descends the Valle del Boite ending in Calalzo. The jewel in the crown during the summer is the Mosigo lake, situated a short distance from the centre of San Vito in a fabulous location. Here there are sports facilities, a picnic area, Nordic walking itineraries and a charming play area for children.

The calendar of summer events range from culture to music, from folklore to sport and children’s entertainment. Needless to say, snow dominates the winter season. San Vito ski area is a paradise for families, offering sunny slopes, refuges and log cabins, accessible parking areas and the new NeveSole park, with a children’s play area, fun entertainment, a nursery facility, slopes for sledding and inflatables. Those looking for unspoilt nature will find even in winter several itineraries suitable for ski-trekking or for excursions with snowshoes.

INFO
AltoCadore tourist association
0436.9238 / www.altocadore.it

21 Mag

Borca di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

Borca di Cadore is situated at the foot of Mount Antelao; from here you can also enjoy a magnificent view of Mount Pelmo.

Among the many attractions of the village there is the church of the Apostles Simon and Jude Thaddeus which was already standing in 1331, but was completely destroyed by a landslide in 1737 and was later rebuilt on its present site, in the area called Fusineles. In 1791 the church was given an organ by the celebrated organ builder Gaetano Callido who, in 1776, had been asked to repair the three organs in St Mark’s Cathedral in Venice. The church houses the miraculous statue of a Black Madonna, as well as a painting by Antonio Balestra, a work attributed to Gregorio Lazzarini and paintings by P. A. Novelli. Other churches in the area are St Rocco’s in the hamlet of Cancia and St Lawrence’s in Villanova.

The Agip holiday village, in nearby Corte di Cadore, is a fine example of modern architecture perfectly set in the surrounding natural environment. It was the brainchild of ENI-AGIP chairman Enrico Mattei, who had it built as a holiday resort for the company’s employees. The compound was designed by the architect Edoardo Gellner between 1954 and 1963. The village comprises 263 holiday homes, two hotels, a church, a holiday camp for up to 600 children, a campsite, sports facilities and several service buildings. The Church of Our Lady of Cadore was designed by Edoardo Gellner together with the architect Carlo Scarpa. The latter also planned the Natural History Museum “Olimpia Perini” which displays several species of insects, snakes, beetles, butterflies, birds and mammals. Part of the museum is devoted to the Dolomites and their geology, with samples of local minerals on show.

INFO
www.comune.borcadicadore.bl.it | www.altocadore.it
tourist office: 0435.482015

21 Mag

Zoppè di Cadore

In PAESI by admin / 21 maggio 2013 / 0 Comments

The smallest and the highest (1,461 metres a.s.l.) parish, Zoppè has historically been part of Cadore, despite being situated “over the mountains” in an area which geographically belongs to Val di Zoldo. According to tradition, its name derives from the word “zópa”, which in the local language means “clod”. Although the name of village appears as “Mons Zupedi” in written documents dated 1155, a proper settlement did not exist until the 1500s. In the beginning there were only a few buildings used by people working the land or in the forest, as well as by the charcoal burners who provided fuel for the smithies where iron ore was processed. Nowadays these traditional activities are brought back to life in the museum of local traditions “Al Poiat”, housed in the former dairy. Here a themed trail shows visitors how the local community used to live and work. The focal point of the exhibition is the reconstruction, to scale, of a charcoal kiln, “Poiat”, alongside which are shown documentaries on this topic. The museum is managed by the “Union di Ladign de Zopè”, the only Italian association of former charcoal burners recognized in Europe. The parish church, dedicated to St Anne, built in 1732-37 next to a chapel dating from 1530-40, was renovated in 1896 after a fire which destroyed the centre of the village. Further works were carried out in the 1930s, when a new choir was installed. On the main altar there is a painting by Titian and his school, Madonna with child and two saints. Another painting, by an unknown artist, dates from the 17^th century and depicts St Anthony. Alongside some wooden artefacts by Giovanbattista De Lotto, Angelo Gamba Zampol and Dante Moro there are also two large paintings by Masi Simonetti (“St Joseph’s passing” – 1930) and by Fiorenzo Tomea ( “Christ on the Cross” – 1950-55). These two outstanding 20^th century artists were born in Zoppè and more of their works can be seen in the town hall. The village is the starting point for a network of itineraries suitable also for families with young children; in winter the same paths are ideal for cross-country skiing or snowshoe treks. In particular the road leading to Rifugio Talamini and the one towards Rifugio Venezia at the foot of Mount Pelmo offer spectacular views. Let’s not forget that emigration has been and still is an element of life in Zoppè di Cadore: for the past 150 years the famous ice cream producers (“i gelatieri”) have left their village to travel all over the world making their excellent ice cream according to traditional recipes.

INFO
www.comune.zoppedicadore.bl.it
town hall: 0437.791900
tourist office in Zoldo Alto: 0437.789145

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