Collalto
Collalto: a picturesque corner in the heart of Treviso province
Physical Geography
Collalto is located in the north of the municipality of Susegana, about 6 km from the capital. The territory is mostly hilly and wooded and overlooks the Quartier del Piave, which overlooks the vast plain of Pieve di Soligo, the related hills, and the Belluno Prealps. The naturalistic walk along the road of Collalto-via Tombola accompanies visitors in discovering the hill of the castle of San Salvatore and Susegana. The territory is crossed by a series of streams and creeks, including Rio di Soligo, Rio Bianca, Ruio, Ruio della Mina, Ruio del Mineo, Lierza, and Soligo River.
History
The human presence in Collalto is documented since prehistory, and the area was essential for trade (presence of Roman bridges in loc. Sant'Anna; toponym "Mercatelli"). It is believed that there was a Lombard settlement in the early Middle Ages, testified by the cult of the warrior saints San Giorgio and San Martino di Tours, but the precise documentation of the first fortress dates back to the 12th century, from which the current castle developed. The Treviso nobles, settled in Colle Alto, took the name of Collalto. The center became the fiefdom of the Collalto family with Ensedisio I, considered the founder of the castle of Collalto (1110), tasked with controlling the fords of the Piave. In 1245, the counts also acquired the hill of San Salvatore in Susegana, and in 1312 the feudal rights of the family were confirmed by Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg. The villages of Barbisano, Falzè di Piave, and Sernaglia della Battaglia belonged to the castle of Collalto, while Colfosco (Susegana), Refrontolo, Santa Lucia di Piave, and Susegana belonged to the castle of San Salvatore. With the peace reached after the arrival of the Serenissima, the castle lost importance and became a Franciscan monastery, an important cultural center where artists such as Pordenone and Francesco da Milano (painter) worked. With the arrival of Napoleon, Collalto was reduced to a fraction of San Salvador, while the convent was suppressed and transformed into a spinning mill. Thus began a gradual decline that culminated in the Great War: being right on the front of the Piave, the castle and the town were almost completely destroyed by the Italian artillery stationed on Montello.
Anthropic Geography
In the hamlet of Collalto, there are several areas with their own toponymy, such as Costa Salera, which has the main road called Via Tournichè, previously called Via Costa Salera until the 70s.
Tourism in Collalto
Collalto represents an interesting tourist destination for the numerous historical and naturalistic attractions it offers. The castle of Collalto, which was destroyed during the First World War, has recently undergone consolidation and restoration work of the perimeter walls. Nevertheless, the ancient tower, a symbol of the town, remains visible and visitable. The naturalistic walk along the road of Collalto-via Tombola, which accompanies visitors in discovering the history of the area, is worth a visit. Moreover, a few kilometers away from the center, there are a series of wineries that offer tastings of excellent quality wines, such as the famous Prosecco DOCG. The hilly nature of the landscape also allows for hiking, cycling, or horseback riding to discover the beauty of the area.
Events and traditions
Collalto, like much of the Treviso province, is famous for the tradition of the feast, which involves several towns throughout the year. In particular, at the end of August, the village organizes the Feast of the Madonna del Carmine, which takes place in the sanctuary dedicated to her. Furthermore, the summer period offers many other leisure opportunities, such as square parties with live music, tastings of typical products, and shows for children. Finally, it is possible to participate in vineyard excursions to discover the magic of the nature surrounding the territory.
Conclusions
In summary, Collalto represents an interesting tourist destination for its historical, naturalistic, and cultural beauties. The naturalistic walk along the road of Collalto-via Tombola and the visit to the castle are the main attractions of the town. Moreover, the tradition of the festival and the local food and wine offer allow discovering also the richness of the traditions and cultural heritage of the area. A visit to Collalto can be an opportunity to discover the authentic beauty of the Treviso province.
