Holiday apartment in Villanova: Piave, Vajont history and mountains

A holiday apartment in Villanova represents a trip shaped by the Piave plain, industrial history and the memory of the Vajont event. The large alluvial plain between Castellavazzo and Villanova includes the Longarone exhibition grounds as well as schools and municipal sports facilities protected by a river embankment. Along the Piave river embankment, the “La lunga via delle Dolomiti” cycle path passes the public and sports facilities of Longarone. The area in question can be reached via a municipal side road that runs parallel to the river embankment and leads from the extensive Zona Industriale Villanova di Longarone.

Piave plain and economic character

The Zona Industriale Villanova di Longarone is considered one of the important production centres in the province of Belluno. Villanova developed into an extensive area that became an important economic reference point for the province. As part of the reconstruction, industrial businesses were intended to be established in Villanova. The Villanova-Faè plain was drained and later referred to as “campagna Protti”. The name therefore denotes a historical designation; it does not imply anything about present-day use.

The history of the Vajont event

The centre of Villanova was destroyed in the Vajont disaster. Along the Piave Valley, between the centre of Longarone and the nearby hamlets of Rivalta, Pirago, Faè and Villanova, 1,450 fatalities were recorded in the Vajont disaster. The Museo Longarone Vajont – Attimi di Storia presents the history of the Vajont event chronologically through photographs, artefacts and multimedia panels.

Palaces, museum and historical traces in the surrounding area

The Palazzo del Capitano, the Palazzo dei Rettori and the Museo Civico Belluno are located in the vicinity of Villanova. The ancient site of Roggia dei Mulini is located in the wider regional area. Erwin Rommel’s diary entry of 9 November 1917 offers a further historical perspective: in it, he describes Villanova together with Longarone, Dogna, Rivalta, Pirago, the Torrente Maè and the Faè estate as one of the locations involved in his operation to block the retreat of Italian troops from the Dolomites and north-western Friuli.

Mountains in the near and wider surroundings

The mountain names also define the regional setting. The Cima Mora peak and Monte Cimon mountain are located in the vicinity of Villanova. The Col della Sparlonga mountain and Cima dell’Albero are located in the surrounding area of Villanova. The choice of location therefore offers different thematic points of reference: when planning a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can focus on the Piave river embankment and cycle path, the history and culture of Vajont, or the surrounding mountains.

Other places in the same region

For comparing other destinations, from Villanova you can also consider Perarolo di Cadore, Montebello, Malga Ciapela, Triches, Cesiomaggiore, Caviola, Falcade and Soverzene.

For the overarching travel overview: Belluno.