 |
 |
|
|
PIEVE DI CADORE |
  
|
| Sprawled at a dominating position between the Contràs and Montericco hills, Pieve is a lively town of more than 4,100 inhabitants. It is the most important artistic and historical centre in Cadore. The township extends as far as the slopes of Mount Antelao on the one side, and Cima di Laste ("Peak of Laste") on the other, incorporating the villages of Nebbiù, Pozzale, Tai and Sottocastello. The history of Pieve is essentially the centuries-old history of Cadore, beginning with the Roman dominion (when a military outpost was installed here), through Christian influence (the first Cadore church was presumably built on the Montericco), various rulers and the long period of autonomy under the banner of St. Mark's Lion of the Venice Republic. Two stone plaques at Titian's Square commemorate the heroic Risorgimento story of Pier Fortunato Calvi and the fallen of the First World War. The 16th-century painter Titian Vecellio was born here, as were other painters of his family: his brother Francesco, son Orazio, cousin Cesare and Marco, Marco's son Tizianello, as well as Fabrizio, Tommaso and Ettore. At the centre of this regional capital is Titian's Square , with a bronze statue of the great artist (by Antonio Dal Zotto, 1880) and the "Magnificent Cadore Community" Palace, rebuilt in 1525 where another palace had been built in 1447. In this solemn edifice with low crenellated towers were managed for centuries the affairs and interests of the local population. It now houses the offices of the "Magnificent Community", today an organization dealing mainly in cultural promotion, and a museum offering a permanent display of archaeological finds, artifacts from the momentous period around 1848 and paintings by Cadore artists. Another museum, the only one of its kind in the world, is the Eyeglass Museum in the village of Tai which exhibits all types of precious eyeglasses from all eras. Among the notable churches are the parish church of Santa Maria Nascente where an altarpiece depicting the Madonna surrounded by saints, unanimously attributed to Titian, is kept; the sanctuary of Christ at Valcalda; and, at Pozzale, the church of St. Thomas, boasting a polyptych by Carpaccio. A high point of any local tour is a visit to the Titian House-Museum , the painter's home which was restored in 1932 and is now replete with his memorabilia. From atop the nearby Montericco Hill a visitor may enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the Piave Valley. Near the hilltop is the destination of year-round pilgrimages as well as thousands of letters from children around the world: the Home of Santa Claus.
|
||
APT