Canale d'Agordo

Agordo ( until 1964 Forno di Canale; Ladin: Canal ) is a municipality in the Italian Dolomites in the province of Belluno. It lies in the valley of Cordevole, the so-called Agordino.

History

The first sources about the existence have survived from 1185, where the place is mentioned together with the old Church of St. Simon Vallada, later also known as San Simon Canale in a document ( Bull of Pope Lucius III. ). At the beginning of the 14th century, the quarries were exploited there and operated mining, especially mining of iron, lead and mercury. Sass Negher and Sais, mountains in Val Gares, was another mining area next to Agordo. In the local iron foundries and forge weapons were produced during the Venetian rule. In the 19th century the Alpine tourism began in the place with the construction of the first hotel, the " Al Gallo" in Val Biois, which should serve as an accommodation to hikers on the route to the Pale di San Martino and the plateau Comelle.

Attractions

Worth seeing in Agordo is a sculpture of John the Baptist from the 13th/14th century. Century in the parish church. There are also the old barn ( Ladin: tabiai ), which are found everywhere.

Culture

In Biois Valley Union Ladina Val Biois and Gruppo Folk Val Biois are actively campaigning for the Ladin language and culture. The Law 482/1999 has recognized the communities of Agordino as an area with Ladin minority.

Sons and daughters

• John Paul I ( Albino Luciani ) ( 1912-1978 ), Pope
• Giuseppe Zais (or Xaiz ) ( 1709-1781 ), landscape painter of the Rococo
• Valerio Da Pos (1740-1822), poet