Discovering Valdobbiadene
Our first journey starts from the town of Valdobbiadene
Valdobbiadene lies close to the Piave river, in the region of the Prealpi Venete, between Monte Grappa and Monti Bellunesi. The people coming from Valdobbiadene are hard workers and strongly connected with the land where they come from and their families.
Over the centuries different powerful families ruled the town of Valdobbiadene (the Carraresi’s, Ezzelino da Romano’s, the Da Camino’s). Started in 1391, the government by the Venetian Republic had a relevant role for the town. In 1866, with the Peace of Vienna, Valdobbiadene and the whole Veneto region were returned to the Regno d’Italia.
In Italy and worldwide, Valdobbiadene is best known for its Prosecco Superiore, that was called “Sparkling Gold” by Luciano Ferraro, a famous journalist of the Italian daily newspaper “Corriere della Sera”. The local producers, with the Consorzio di Tutela del Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, are working together to protect and enhance the unique wine produced in this area.
Back to the town of Valdobbiadene, in the city centre we find the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, that dates back to the 14th Century. The bell tower stands out also for its sundial of the 18th – 19th Century. Inside the Cathedral, you can see important blades dedicated to Madonna Assunta (by Baccaruzzi), to the Virgin with Saint Sebastiano and Saint Rocco (by Paris Bordon), to Saint Antonio Abate and Saint Giovanni Battista and the ciborium of the Altare della Madonna.
Not far away from the the Cathedral, there is Villa dei Cedri, that was a factory in the 18th Century and now it is the headquarters of the Alta Marca Association, that organizes many events of great cultural and sporting importance during the year.
Close to the centre of Valdobbiadene, you can find the hamlet of Santo Stefano, where you can enjoy an amazing view over the surrounding vineyards and where you can visit the “Oratorio”.
The Oratorio was built to host a community of people coming from the town of Bassano, about one hour far from there. The people coming from Bassano were specialized in the art of carding, which was taught to the locals. On these hills, indeed, there were lots of mulberry plants, whose leaves are the main food for silkworms. The Oratorio, injured by a strong earthquake, was rebuilt in 1907 and renovated in 1970.
Two are the famous personalities born in Valdobbiadene. The first one is Saint Venanzio Fortunato, bishop, author of latin lyrics and famous biographer, was born in Duplavilis (Valdobbiadene) in the 530. He died in Poitiers in 607. The second one was Benedetto XI, who was born in Valdobbiadene (or in Treviso according to other sources) in 1240 and died in Perugia in 1304. Elect Pope in 1303, he was proclaimed blessed by Clemente XII in 1836.
