Asiago

Asiago is a marvellous village situated on a high plateau in the Veneto region of Northern Italy. The 'Altopiano di Asiago' (the Asiago upland) has been inhabited from immemorial time and the locals still speak their own language, the so-called “Cimbro” – similar to the German. A long time ago the Altopiano was wild and impracticable enough to be a perfect shelter place for populations and tribes that, after the Roman Age, crossed the Alps. The massive immigrations involved Germans and (after the year 1000) families of Bavarian colonists, seeking for lands to clear, reclaim and cultivate. Here they have rebuilt their lives and kept intact their language and customs.

The first villages founded were Rotzo and Enego on the east side, then Gallio, Foza, Roana, Lusiana, Asiago, and soon became “Communes”, protected by the Ezzelini, the Scaligeri and the Visconti families. The latter gave them special economic priviledges, which were very important for a mountainous area like that. In that period the alliance among the Seven Communes strengthened so much to make the “Patto della Reggenza”, a deal that ensure their political and administrative autonomy. The Sette Comuni federation is known to have been fully organized between the years of 1270 and 1339, but the Document of Federation was destroyed in fires due to hostilities, around 1500. The federation lasted until the Napoleonic invasions, around 1807. The territory was under the Austrian rule from 1815 to 1866 and was annexed to Italy through the international accord in 1866.

The Seven Communes are located in the Province of Vicenza, in the area known as Altopiano di Asiago, a tourist paradise. The plateau is nothing short of beautiful with expansive alpine meadows, forests and lower down in the valleys, fast flowing rivers. All ideal spots for great sport activities. The 'Altopiano di Asiago' (the Asiago upland) houses the Extreme Sport Center 'Team Sport Emozione' - which provides the possibility for those in search of excitement to do bungee jumping, rafting, hidrobob and para –gliding.

There are endless opportunities on the Altopiano to go on trips, excursions or very simple walking tours. It is a living 'exhibition' all to be read and enjoyed. Here are a few suggestions on what to see but for technical information, you'd better refer back to the proper guides. Fortalices, mule-tracks, trenches: there are still many visible signs of the First World War. The easiest fortress to reach, and the closest to the city centre, is the Interrotto in Camporovere. It is a barracks-fortress whose construction goes back to the middle of the 1800s. On the Monte Verena you will find the remains of the fortress where the first Italian cannon shot of the Great War was fired. It is possible to reach the fortress via a cable-way which takes you from the Rifugio Verenetta up to the top of the mountain. From the top of the Monte Cengio, a long ordeal for the Grenadiers of the 1915-18 conflict with the legendary 'Jump of the Grenadiers', you continue on to Forte di Punta Corbin. From here you can enjoy the magnificence of the different panoramas.