ASOLO

ASOLO AND ITS CHARACTERS

The favourable position and pleasant climate made Asolo an inhabited centre since the prehistoric times and, later, it became an important settlement of the Veneti, an ancient people. Acelum, the Roman Asolo went through a period of great growth: the city, which also became municipium, developed mainly between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. Remains and archaeological findings document the presence of thermal baths, an aqueduct, a forum and a theatre, showing Asolo's importance during Roman times. The village was an ancient Christian centre which already had a bishop in the 6th century and it maintained the episcopal seat until 969 when it became a fief of the bishopric of Treviso.

Between the 11th and 14th centuries various powerful families (Tempesta, Ezzelini, da Camino, Scaligeri, Carraresi) ruled in Asolo and after them there was the hegemony of Venice. Starting from the end of the 14th century with Venetian domination, the city began a phase of great splendour: in 1489 Venice assigned Caterina Cornaro, former queen of Cyprus, the Signoria of Asolo, which became a sumptuous Renaissance court of artists, intellectuals and poets. Venice gave Asolo an important urban reorganisation and it created a strong bond between the two cities and the two aristocracies until the fall of the Serenissima.

“Asolo is Venice and Venice is Asolo” is said in this area in order to underline an affinity that can be see in the architecture as well as in the spirit.

In 1797 Napoleon made his entrance in Asolo. During the 19th century, under Austrian rule, there were reforms of civil institutions and a programme of public works, such as the renovation of the Duse theatre. Finally, in 1866 Asolo became part of the Kingdom of Italy. If you are curious about the history of Asolo during the 19th-century you can have a look at the ancient pendulum clock hidden behind the counter of a wine shop in Via Browning, near the Teatro dei Rinnovati: here the dates of the town's history from the beginning of the 19th century are noted down.

GIOSUÈ CARDUCCI NAMED ASOLO “THE CITY OF A HUNDRED HORIZON”