Pieve di Cadore
An Ancient Dolomites City

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Pieve di Cadore is located approximately where the valleys of the rivers Piave and Boite merge. It spreads over a basin with one side delimited by Monte Ricco (Mount Ricco), where an ancient castel rose in a remote past. The town retains a long history.

Archaeological finds relating to Ancient venetian and roman populations bear witness to the importance that this place has always had across centuries: for instance the archaeological site of an ancient Roman villa, next to the contemporary Municipality building, that has recently been restored. The traces of his past do not end here. The Palace of the Magnifica Comunità di Cadore dates back to 1492 and there the institution of the Magnifica Comunità has always been established and grouped the Municipalities of Cadore.

Nearby we find the birthplace of the most illustrious citizen of Pieve: Tiziano Vecellio, who is better known and celebrated worldwide as Titian, a painter whose works have altered the course of history of Art. Another famous protagonist in the history of Italian Renaissance (which is the historical core of the Italian unification during 19th century in Italian Risorgimento, not to be confused with Renaissance in general, that refers to the part of European history between the late Middle Age and 17th century) fought during the riots of 1848: Pier Fortunato Calvi. The monument dedicated to him lies at the foot of Monte Ricco (Rich Mountain), just below the site of the castle he captained.

What to find in Pieve di Cadore

This little city presents it self to its visitors as a drawing-room, gathered in its elegant square, enclosed by the palace of the Magnifica Comunità di Cadore and the Archdeaconry Church. The church contains a painting by Titian, and it was also frescoed by him, though later his work was unfortunately destroyed. Pieve holds the title of City of Arts and it offers the opportunity to visit the Museum of Cadore, where Roman and paleo-Venetian archaeological findings are preserved, and the Glasses Museum. The eyewear industry is an important activity for the whole of Cadore since late Nineteenth century. The largest companies in the world producing glasses originate from Cadore.

The Centrality of Pieve di Cadore allows many excursions - even ski holidays - to the mountains and surrounding places to start there. Cortina d'Ampezzo is 30 kilometers away from Pieve, and Auronzo about 20 kilometers from it. At Calalzo, 3 kilometers from Pieve, the bicycle path La lunga Via delle Dolomiti starts, going to Lienz (Austria) through San Vito di Cadore, Cortina d'Ampezzo and Dobbiaco. Around Pieve di Cadore many small excursions are available and some of them are almost unknown also for the local population. For example, it is possible to walk around Monte Ricco – with the natural park on its summit – and to reach the Belvedere, a panoramic site overlooking the Lake of Centro Cadore. An excursion characterized by an hystorical content is to walk the Roman road that leads to Valle di Cadore starting at Damos – an hamlet near Pieve – by crossing an ancient bridge.

It’s a town that welcomes quietly its guests – swimming-pool, tennis court and other facilities are available and they are located few steps away from the centre. The beauty of Pieve di Cadore does not reside in its lovely square, but also in the amazing landscape surrounding it. Here one may admire famous Dolomites Mountains, Le Marmarole, Antelao, Pelmo, and Civetta, just looking around.

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