Chies d'Alpago
A municipality in the Venetian mountains: Chies d'Alpago
Located in the province of Belluno, in the heart of the Venetian mountains, Chies d'Alpago is a municipality with 1,251 inhabitants. The territory is characterized by valleys, mountains, and plateaus, where the main villages are located: Chies, Lamosano, Molini, Codenzano, San Martino d'Alpago, Irrighe, Funes, Carpinetto, and Palughetto.
An ancient history
The history of Chies d'Alpago has ancient roots, which date back to the Iron Age. The first settlements were founded on the hills, as the Alpago basin was a swamp. In the Lombard period, the system of regola was born, a kind of territory administration still widespread in Chies today. During the Middle Ages, Chies was part of the government of Belluno and in 1324 it was erected as a county under the administration of Endrighetto di Bongaio. In 1404, the Serenissima Republic of Venice conquered the entire Belluno area, and the system of regola was maintained by Venetian authorities.
Subsequently, the territory of Chies was dominated by the Austrians and annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. During World War II, the municipality was directly annexed to Nazi Germany under Hitler. After the war, emigration caused a sharp decrease in population.
Monuments and tourist attractions
The church of San Giuseppe is the parish church of Chies, built in 1903 on the basis of a previous eighteenth-century church. In November 2009, a herd of yaks was imported from the East and released in the Chies d'Alpago area and at the foot of the Cansiglio forest to counteract the advance of the woods and serve as a tourist attraction.
The municipal coat of arms
The municipal coat of arms features the tower of Bongaio Castle, which governed the territory, and the sheep, emblem of pastoralism, which was the main source of livelihood for the village.
Physical geography
The territory of Chies d'Alpago is located along the Tesa valley at the foot of Monte Teverone. The territory is completely mountainous and has watercourses such as the Tesa, Borsoia, Fermega, Funesia, and Tessina streams.
Demographic growth
The municipality has seen its population decrease due to emigration, which has reduced its population by about half in a few years.
Administration
The municipality of Chies d'Alpago is part of the Alpago Mountain Union.
Conclusions
Chies d'Alpago is a unique municipality, immersed in nature among the Venetian mountains. There are many attractions to visit, such as the church of San Giuseppe, the village of Chies, and the herd of yaks, which have become a real tourist attraction. The history of the municipality is fascinating and centuries-old, definitely worth delving into.
