Cesiomaggiore
Welcome to Cesiomaggiore
Hello everyone! Today I'll be talking about Cesiomaggiore, a municipality in Veneto located in the province of Belluno. With its 3,904 inhabitants, Cesiomaggiore is a small but delightful city surrounded by nature.
Discover the geography of Cesiomaggiore
Cesiomaggiore is located in the Feltrino (Valbelluna) area, on the right bank of the Piave river, and is part of the Feltrina mountain union. The landscape is characterized by the continuous slopes that descend towards the Piave valley, with the first peaks of the Dolomites at the north edge of the municipality. Cesio, the capital of the municipality, is approximately 12 km northeast of Feltre and 18 km southwest of Belluno. The pedemontana provincial road crosses the territory of Cesiomaggiore, rising from Feltre and descending towards Santa Giustina.
The municipal territory is delimited by the Caorame stream to the west and borders the municipalities of Feltre, Santa Giustina and San Gregorio nelle Alpi. Cesiomaggiore is a place where nature rules, with a lively and varied landscape characterized by small towns, ancient villas, churches, fields, and deciduous forests.
Discover the history of Cesiomaggiore
Cesiomaggiore has an ancient and fascinating history. The territory belonged to the Reti people during the pre-Roman era, and the current toponym is believed to derive from the Latin anthroponym "Caesius". There are testimonies of the presence of the "gens Caesia", to which the Latin poet Cesio Basso belonged, in the area of Cesiomaggiore. A monumental stone from 47 AD that recalls the construction of the Claudia Augusta road has become the emblem of the municipality.
In the Middle Ages, Cesio was the seat of the Santa Maria parish, which depended on the Diocese of Belluno-Feltre and its "bishop-count". The territory was fragmented into numerous feudal possessions, governed by local castle lords who were subject to the Bishop. Among the families who ruled the territory, there were the Muffoni, also known as "da Cesio", the Rambaldoni da Fianema, and the Corte da Marsiai. The remains of their fortified residences can still be seen today in the municipal capital of Cesio as well as in the fractions of Marsiai and Fianema.
In 1404, Cesio became part of the Republic of Venice along with Feltre, and the ceremony of handing over the keys of the city to the Venetian ambassador is still commemorated today in the Palio of Feltre.
What to see in Cesiomaggiore
A visit to Cesiomaggiore cannot be complete without visiting the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in the center of the village and home to the monumental stone from 47 AD that commemorates the Claudia Augusta road. Additionally, it's worth visiting the Palazzo Muffoni, one of the oldest buildings in the municipality, located in the heart of medieval Cesio.
The remains of the fortified residences of the Muffoni and Rambaldoni da Fianema families are other historical sites not to be missed. The Marsiai tower and the San Vito rural church are enchanting places surrounded by greenery, where you can admire the beauty of the landscape.
Conclusions
Cesiomaggiore is a gem of Veneto, a municipality surrounded by nature with a fascinating history that is worth knowing. Visiting the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Palazzo Muffoni, and admiring the beauty of the surrounding landscape are just some of the experiences to be lived in this enchanting place.
