Info Dolomiti

I was recently researching the history of towns in the Dolomites, where my paternal grandfather's family was from. Most sites were in Italian, but this one is in English, has interactive maps, and things to do in the area of my first heritage quest.

Via Claudia Augusta Altinate

The ancient Roman road that led from the Adriatic Sea (Altino) to the Danube river, relives, after 2000 years of history, a new, fresh season. Conceived in 15 B.C. By the Roman general Druso Maggiore, adopted son of the Emperor Augustus, the route was designed to open a passage through the Alps during the military campaigns in Austria. The huge project was completed only 60 years later by Drusus's son, the Emperor Claudius (41-54 A.D.).

The Via Claudia Augusta can be considered as a bridge between different cultures, environments and emotions: it is a symbolic itinerary that crosses three countries (Germany, Austria and Italy) featuring an enormous variety of landscapes and traditions, art treasures and culinary specialities.

In the Belluno area, the route first crosses the Feltre, starting from Castel Tesino (province of Trentino) passing the towns of Lamon, Sovramonte, Pedavena and reaching the center of Feltre. Then the road climbs up to Cesiomaggiore, where in Villa Centenere is exhibited one of the two milestones of the Way, and then leadsn you to Busche. After crossing the Piave river, the itinerary continues through the towns of Lentiai and Mel, featuring its imposing Zumelle Castle, and arrives up to the Praderadego mountain pass which separates the province of Belluno from Treviso.

Worth a visit: 

• Lamon, Sovramonte and Pedavena; 
• Feltre and surroundings: the Cathedral with the archaeological area underneath the church yard, the old town with Piazza Maggiore square and Alboino's Castle, the Civic Museum and the “Carlo Rizzarda” Modern Art Gallery, the Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, the Sanctuary of the Saints Vittore and Corona in Anzù; 
• Cesiomaggiore: Villa Tauro alle Centenere where are on display the two milestones that marked the Way, the “Toni Bevilacqua” Historic Bicycle Museum , the Ethnographical Museum of the Province of Belluno and of the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park; 
• Lentiai: Church of Santa Maria Assunta; 
• Mel: Piazza Papa Luciani square and the Zumelle Castle.