The Asiago Plateau: what to know
The Asiago Plateau: essential things to know
The Asiago Plateau, or also known as "of the Seven Municipalities", is located in the province of Vicenza at an altitude of 1,000 metres and is one of the most popular mountain destinations in the Veneto region. It is suitable for every season and type of activity: from sport to relaxation, from hiking in the midst of nature to strolling through the shopping streets. Its municipalities are Asiago, Rotzo, Enego, Foza, Roana, Gallio and Lusiana, each rich in history and natural wonders.
In this first article, we will talk about the necessary information for those who want to visit the Plateau, from how to get there, to its historical importance, to typical products.
How to reach the Asiago Plateau
A dense road network connects the municipalities of the Asiago Plateau to the main towns in Veneto. Asiago is only about 30 km from Bassano del Grappa, which can be reached by car in about 45 minutes or by bus, taking less than two hours.
Here are the distances between Asiago and the main cities in Veneto:
- from Vicenza: 65 km
- from Padova: 90 km
- from Verona:125 km
- from Venezia: 125 km
For those arriving from Trentino Alto Adige, the most scenic option is to drive along the Strada del Pasubio (via Valdastico), or along the Valsugana, passing through Enego.
The Great War sites
The tragic events of the First World War are intrinsic to the history of the Plateau. In fact, the area offers a historical-cultural itinerary to discover the ruins of ancient forts, some of which can be visited and have been turned into museums, and emplacements, both Italian and Austro-Hungarian. Depending on the season, it is possible to explore these sites on foot, by mountain bike or on skis.
- Asiago War Memorial (also known as "Ossario del Leiten"): surrounded by mountains that were the scene of numerous First World War battles, the monument houses the remains of more than 50,000 Italian and Austro-Hungarian soldiers.
- Great War Historical Museum of Canove: located in Roana, is considered one of the most comprehensive collections of Great War material nationwide.
- Great War Forts: Forte Verena, Forte Lisser, Forte Corbin, Forte Interrotto, Forte Vezzena, Forte Campolongo. Each one can be reached through evocative hikes in the midst of nature.
The Plateau does not only offer natural beauty and historical artefacts: it is also an area rich in handcrafted local gastronomic products.
A typical product par excellence is the famous Asiago cheese, which has been granted Protected Designation of Origin status. It can present different stages of maturation: fresh, mezzano, old and extra-old.
Honey and jams: the plateau boasts an extraordinary variety of flower species, making it a perfect area for beekeeping to produce organic mountain honey, as well as for the production of jams made from wild berries.
Also worth mentioning is the Ortigara cake: the name comes from Mount Ortigara, the site of one of the most atrocious battles of the First World War. This soft and very simple cake, made only of flour, butter, eggs, sugar, and almonds, was brought to soldiers at the front and in the trenches to feed them.
Would you like to know more about the itineraries and activities that the Asiago Plateau offers both in summer and winter? Then don't miss the following articles.
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