Soverzene: Culture, Routes and Historical Technology

Soverzene combines sacred art, historic working environments and routes through the landscape with vivid evidence of the history of technology. During your stay, you can therefore explore the town through several different themes: from the Church of San Lorenzo Martire and the Grotta della Madonna di Lourdes to the mill, lime kiln, hydroelectric power plant and marked hiking trails.

Church, Grotto and Historic Sites

The present-day Church of San Lorenzo Martire was built from the 18th century onwards on the site of an ancient temple, which is documented as early as 1425. Inside is a tempera painting of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, attributed to the painter Girolamo Moech (1792–1857), who came from Belluno. The furnishings also include a monumental wooden altar from the original church. It is attributed to the school of Auregne, carved in 1626 and gilded in 1633.

The Grotta della Madonna di Lourdes was built between 1910 and 1911 and inaugurated on July 16, 1911. On the occasion of its centenary, it was structurally and architecturally restored in 2011. For orientation before your visit, it is important to note that the grotto is accessible at ground level, but there are three steps at the entrance; there is no ramp for people with disabilities.

The historic character continues at La Calchèra and the Mulino dei Savi. La Calchèra is a lime kiln of ancient origin. The lime produced there was used as mortar for constructing and plastering buildings, as well as for disinfecting stables. The terrain is rough and not accessible to wheelchairs. The Mulino dei Savi dates from the 18th century. Local grain was milled there, especially corn for making polenta flour. Water from the nearby Val Pora was brought in through an 86-meter-long supply channel; a drop of 9 meters powered the mill wheel. Access is via an unpaved path, and the entrance is not suitable for wheelchairs.

Hydropower and Travel History

The Achille Gaggia hydroelectric power plant was built in 1950. The actual power plant is located in a 500-meter-long gallery inside the mountain. The engine house is decorated with allegorical frescoes depicting electricity and glorifying hydropower, attributed to the painter Walter Resenterra, who came from Feltre. The power plant can only be viewed from the outside; private visits are possible by prior arrangement.

The Piave Bridge is also part of the town's development. It was built between 1922 and 1927, connected Soverzene with the Alemagna national road and made the former ferry connection across the river unnecessary.

Hiking Trails and Climbing Opportunities

A compact sightseeing loop to the medieval lookout follows the historic nature trail “Troi de le caore”. It is approximately 400 meters long, with a total ascent of around 40 meters. For longer hikes, Alpine Trail 960 starts in Costa Avedin in Soverzene and leads to Casera Col Mat. Its difficulty is rated E. Alpine Trail 967 runs through the area between Soverzene and Longarone, starts near Casera del Pian and leads to Val Calastra; here too, the difficulty is rated E.

The Falesia Val Gallina climbing wall is easily accessible from the town of Soverzene. Following renovation and safety work completed in 2019, it has numerous climbing routes on three walls as well as three via ferratas. In addition, Soverzene is listed as a ComuneCiclabile with a rating of 4 Bikesmiles.

Further Places for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also visit Villanova, Sappada, Pieve Di Cadore, Santo Stefano Di Cadore, Taibon, Colle Santa Lucia, Danta and Colderù.

For the higher-level travel overview: Belluno.