Rural architecture: pathways in the landscapes and architecture of Valbelluna.
The rural architecture and the traditional agricultural landscape of Val Belluna feature unique characteristics, still perceivable today in all their original beauty, if we know where to look for them and how to understand them.
They speak to us of buildings made with local materials, of crops suitable for the area, of social organization, of ancient and resilient knowledge, in short, they tell us about living in the mountains. Visitors who wish to understand how humans have lived in these territories for centuries, to grasp their most authentic characteristics, and to be moved by the spirit of places distant from the more well-known circuits, will find the most symbolic and interesting towns along this route.
Although some common traits prevail in the rural architecture of Val Belluna, it is also very interesting to highlight the differences and variants developed by different local communities, due to altitude, available materials, predominant crops, local knowledge, etc.
In this journey to discover some rural architectures of Belluno and the surrounding landscape, with which they have a close interdependence, we propose six towns chosen for their peculiar characteristics:
- Solivi di Fastro (Arsiè): the ‘Feltrino house’
- Val di Seren (Seren del Grappa): the fojaròi with green roofs
- Montagne (Cesiomaggiore): the mid-mountain settlement
- Meano (Santa Giustina): the common courtyards
- Col (Borgo Valbelluna): the linear settlement
- Frontin (Borgo Valbelluna): the ‘Belluno house’
The cycle-tourist route through the six towns can be traveled as a loop (approximately 120 Km) or by stages of interest; secondary roads with little traffic and great scenic value have been chosen, or, where available, bike paths. From a technical standpoint, there are no particular difficulties, despite some elevation changes that are to be expected, as this is a route through the landscape of the mid-mountain!
