Alpago
Alpago is a mountain municipality in the province of Belluno, created in February 2016 from the merger of Farra d'Alpago, Pieve d'...
Updated 11 July 2026
The story
The story of Alpago
History and origins
In pre-Roman times Alpago was inhabited by Paleo-Venetic, Illyrian and Celtic Norici peoples. Under the Romans it became part of the territory of Bellunum, a municipality of Venetia et Histria, remaining mainly a transit area crossed by important trade routes. The five historic districts of Alpago - Farra, Puos, Pieve, Chies and Tambre - became independent municipalities during the Napoleonic era, remaining so for two centuries until the administrative merger that, in February 2016, created the single municipality of Alpago, joining Farra, Pieve and Puos d'Alpago.
Nature and surroundings
Lake Santa Croce, situated at 386 metres above sea level, is the natural heart of the territory: the largest lake entirely within Veneto's borders, with an average depth of 33 metres. Originally smaller, it was enlarged with a dam in the 1930s and is today a popular destination for sailing, windsurfing and lakeside walks. The municipal territory also borders the Cansiglio forest, a wooded plateau shared with Friuli, while the Belluno Prealps surrounding the basin offer numerous hiking trails.
What to see / main sights
Each hamlet of Alpago retains its own character: Pieve d'Alpago, the municipal seat, is today the administrative hub of the territory; Farra and Puos preserve churches and historic settlements typical of Belluno's mountain villages, while the numerous small scattered hamlets - from Santa Croce to Villalte, from Sitran to Spert - reflect a pattern of dispersed settlement typical of the pre-Alpine valleys, rather than a single monumental centre.
Food and local products
Alpago's culinary tradition follows that of the Belluno mountains, with alpine dairy cheeses, cured meats and dishes based on potatoes and pulses typical of the pre-Alpine valleys. The proximity to the Cansiglio and surrounding woods also encourages mushroom and wild berry foraging, recurring ingredients in local cuisine.
Getting there and location
Alpago is located in the province of Belluno, reachable by car from the provincial capital in about half an hour via the road running alongside Lake Santa Croce. Its position between the Belluno Dolomites and the border with Friuli Venezia Giulia makes it a natural stop for those travelling the route between Belluno and the Friuli plain, as well as a direct destination for lovers of mountains and lakes.
Local life and economy
With just over six thousand residents spread across a wide, fragmented territory, Alpago maintains an economy tied to the mountains: livestock farming, small-scale agriculture and nature tourism linked to the lake and hiking trails. The 2016 merger of the three municipalities allowed services to be rationalised across a territory that nonetheless remains deeply rural and mountainous in identity.
Experiences not to miss
- Fare una passeggiata o praticare sport d'acqua sul Lago di Santa Croce
- Take a walk or try water sports on Lake Santa Croce
To see
What to see in Alpago
Routes · Trovido Route
