Municipality of Enego-Asiago 7 Comuni Plateau
The absent-minded traveler who goes back in the dark the Valsugana to the north,just before the border with the province of Trento, will see to the left of the throat which is to cross, a few lights scattered on high rocky cliffs and nothing else. By day, perhaps he is able to grasp with his eyes some groups of buildings andstrenuously stubbornly clinging on the mountain will think that it is a few scattered houses, abandoned to their fate by a 'urbanization and globalization increasingly overwhelming.
But come to Enego, know, or rather, live it, is another matter entirely.
Past the switchbacks that Primolano climb up to an altitude of about 800 m. above sea level, will open to the discerning travelers a fascinating insight: a mountain town suspended between earth and sky, surrounded by majestic pine forests and a landscape where human activity has skillfully mediated human needs with those of Nature.
Enego is the easternmost country of the 'Plateau of Asiago and extends from the edge of the deep Valsugana, at an altitude of 200, on the banks of the Brenta, the massif of' Ortigara at an altitude of 2,150.
The 'country of origin is lost in the mists of time; in some locations you have been found dating from the Neolithic flints while the first settlements date back to some 'Roman times as confirmed by the discovery of some coins of the' Roman Emperor Druze.
The study of the semantic dialect has however highlighted derivation slave and German making it indisputable that the first inhabitants were the Cimbri, who took refuge up here around the year 100 BC.
The village is mentioned for the first time in a document from 1301 as a possession of the bishops of Vicenza. Around200 AD, it was erected Bastia, a fort that was intended to counter the barbarian invasions from the north. In 1180 it was given in fief to the Ezzelini to whom he remained until 1260. Later came under the rule of the Scala family, a fact testified by still Scaligera Tower of Piazza San Marco.
Since 1311 he became part of the federation of seven municipalities, which formed an alliance in the Plateau a small and had been free and independent life until 1807.
In 1404 the Regency of the Seven Municipalities, to safeguard its autonomy came into the Venetian Republic and, with the fall of this, was invaded by the French until 1848 when, on the enemy side of the Alps, was replaced by the'Empire austroungaraico.
Enego and the entire plateau became part of Italy only in 1866.
However the most important historical testiomonianze are attributable to the period of the Great War that swept in full the'whole territory and caused the sad phenomenon of "attempts to escape". The area of Mount Ortigara, the main objective of the punitive expedition Austro-Hungarian (strafexepedition) was the scene of battles that caused thousands of victims. After 1918 the country was almost completely destroyed by the war, it was rebuilt.
The current administration has sought to restore and enhance these testimonies and has already led to the conclusion important works such as the restoration of the Fort Lisser, now finally open.
E 'was also inaugurated in July 2010, in Piazza San Marco, the Monte Ortigara Museum with a collection of artifacts of the Great War.
The signs of the historical events of the Great War are visible even in Forte Coldarco and battery Coldarco below, the complex of about 300 meters of tunnel dug into the rock, which was renovated in recent years and also visited.
The town center is Piazza del Popolo that still preserves its appearance century, a period in which it was completed theCathedral of Santa Giustina built in its present form in 1812 on a previous building of the fifteenth century. Inside there is a precious altar of Jacopo Bassano.
The majesty of the Duomo is given mainly by an impressive stairway of 100 steps. He is still well preserved bell tower of the old church, while, in 1953, the cathedral has been joined by a new, high bell tower, the top of which, on cloudy days, he disappears in the sky.
Nearby is Piazza San Marco, created in 1875 by the demolition of the castle built by the Scala in 1335 and recently renovated. It represents the heart of the country and the ideal center for each event: open air concerts, street markets, various events.
The fortress Scala remains today only the Torre Scaligera, a well-preserved stone tower on top of which a terrace allows you to enjoy a view overlooking the valley of the Brenta, the Monte Grappa, the Dolomites.
An ambitious project to restore the fort has already been built up by the Administration: priority means to secure the Towerrestoring existing structural parts damaged by time. But the real goal is to "revive" the whole complex, restoring the ancient walls that surrounded the 4 original towers and creating a path so as to permit the full visit.
Opened in 2009 the new Palace of Culture and Tourism, which is located at the side of the cathedral is an importantmultipurpose center for various activities: cinema, theater, conferences, meetings. The building, from the outside, follows the construction details of the 'mountain architecture. Inside it offers 250 seats and is equipped with modern technological facilities with regard to the stage equipment.
Just outside the center a pleasant walk leads to the Church of Frizzon, oratory dated 1837 and converted into a charnel house of the war dead of Russia.
Other trails lead to Coste, Valdicina, Valgoda, Coldarco where you can still touch a genuine way of life and deeply respectful of the environment.
It 'was recently recovered the paths allowing hikers to reach the resort Enego starting Piovega.
For cyclists must remember the bicycle route Monaco-Venice, lapping Enego in the downstream part. During the summer it is a service of bike bus that allows cyclists who use the cycle path to reach Enego Marcesina and discovering new itineraries.
The flagship of the entire territory is certainly represented by the beautiful Piana Marcesina, situated at 1,300 meters above sea level. It is a vast plain with vast pastures and majestic forests, destination for hikers in summer and winter.About the Brenta peaks above Marcesina salt, can, in a short time, to observe all that is beautiful gives the pre-Alpine flora. By lime trees and ash trees that grow on the lower slopes of the valley you pass all 'alfalfa and hay holy, that grow naturally in vast terraces.
In the clearings of the forest brambles are tied with raspberries, lush ferns form thick bushes and junipers intecciano in bushes. The higher the rhododendrons bloom, the dwarf with his long arms and finally, higher than all, reignsedelweiss. Since mid-summer, however, the enthusiast can search in the woods of Marcesina the coveted Porcinimushrooms but also other species of lesser-known but equally tasty.
Marcesina is a household name even among skiers. In places Valmaron develops a ski area that includes the slopes for alpine skiing and Nordic skiing and offering the possibility of other pleasant pastimes on the snow as dog sledding.Enego 2000 some lifts satisfied beginners and experts.
However descents also give sensations that few places can give; here seems to be screened in an 'atmosphere of another era, a ski away from the hectic and chaotic world of ski most "fashionistas" and beautiful in Italy. People come here to ski to relax and have fun with friends but then his gaze remains entranced in 'enjoyable admire the views from the top of Mount Lisser.
"Finland of Italy" is the nickname earned by 'beautiful Piana Marcesina in the winter months. Starting from the center of Enego Fund Valmaron meander around 200 Km. Of slopes, always perfectly groomed and well-prepared, crossingplaces emoziananti and breathtaking scenery. The long-distance runner, in this context, will not just slide the skis toward a fixed goal but, in doing so, will tovarsi immersed in a natural scenery of incomparable beauty, expecting any moment to see pop out of the thick a grove classic pointed cap of a gnome, so much magic and fairytale landscape!
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