Discover Vigo di Cadore

Vigo di Cadore combines well-documented religious buildings, historic defensive structures and specific trails through the mountain landscape. If you would like to tailor your stay to different experiences, you will find both short routes to places of cultural and historical interest and longer ascents, panoramic trails and regional specialities here.

Churches and History in Cadore

One of the area’s notable buildings is the Chiesa di Sant'Orsola in Vigo di Cadore. It was built between 1313 and 1321 as a funerary chapel, dates from the 14th century and is recognised as a national monument. Another historical point of interest is the Biblioteca storica cadorina, founded in 1892 by Professor Antonio Ronzon.

The Chiesa della Madonna della Difesa was built between 1512 and 1515. The local population commissioned it as a votive offering after overcoming the threat posed by the troops of Maximilian I of Habsburg. The Chiesa Pievanale di San Martino di Tours dates from 1559 and was extended in the 18th century. The bell tower opposite dates from 1599.

The Chiesa di San Daniele also has a long construction history: it already existed in 1345 and was rebuilt in 1350. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Bernardino da Siena underwent an almost complete reconstruction in 1947; the choir is still part of the original 15th-century building. In Salagona, the Chiesa di Santa Margherita has existed since 1272 and is considered the oldest surviving church in Cadore.

Hiking Trails, Military History and Mountain Destinations

Several trails combine physical activity with historic sites. Itinerario 004 is a 1.66-kilometre round trip from Laggio to the Appostamento militare Col Ciampon. It is presented as an open-air museum with trenches, military installations and relics from the First World War. Itinerario 071 leads from Laggio via the Sentiero botanico Gabriele Larese and Col Ciampon to the Chiesetta San Daniele. The approach includes fixed ropes and is considered not exposed. From Col Ciampon, the Chiesa di San Daniele can be reached via a steep ascent of approximately 20 minutes.

The Sentiero botanico Gabriele Larese showcases trees, shrubs and flowers along a short, accessible trail. For longer excursions, the Altavia dei Forti dell’Oltrepiave begins in Piniè in Vigo di Cadore and leads 59.83 kilometres to Passo Mauria. From Piniè, the Bivacco “L. Da Rin Chiaurei” can be reached either via the CAI 339 military mule track or via the Sentiero dei Mede.

A more demanding destination is Monte Tudaio. The ascent from Piniè to the summit follows a military mule track of more than eight kilometres and takes approximately four hours. At the summit, at an altitude of 2,114 metres, the Forte del Monte Tudaio was built by the Italian Corps of Engineers between 1911 and 1915. The mountain offers a 360-degree panorama from the Alta Val Piave to the Val d'Ansiei, including the Tre Cime di Lavaredo and Peralba.

The Palestra di Roccia is a limestone climbing crag on Monte Tudaio. It is approximately a ten-minute walk from the small car park at the barrier near Piniè. The Forra di Romotoi section includes a suspension bridge, ladders and fixed ropes. At the Batteria di Col Pelos, there is a well-preserved trench that can be walked through. From Palù near Vigo, the site can be reached via an approximately one-kilometre-long, easy uphill road. The Batteria di Col Pelos and the Forte di Col Piccolo were part of the Fortezza Cadore-Maè defence system.

Plateau and Local Specialities

Malga Casera Razzo is situated at an altitude of 1,800 metres and can be reached by car from Vigo di Cadore. Local cheeses can be sampled and purchased there. The cheeses are made from the milk of cattle grazing on the plateau or sourced from milk produced at nearby mountain pastures. Changing lunch and dinner menus are available there by reservation only.

Other Historic Destinations

The historical surroundings of Piniè also include the Vallo alpino del Littorio, an underground defensive system built by Mussolini between 1939 and 1941. The site can be reached by following the signs to Forte di Monte Tudaio. The Presepio Animato di Laggio was established in 1984 in the former primary school of Laggio di Cadore and is open during the Christmas season. For further regional orientation, you will also find Seren del Grappa, Arabba, Calalzo Di Cadore, Belluno, Paderno, Fonzaso, Malga Ciapela and Santo Stefano Di Cadore.

For the higher-level travel overview: Belluno.