Belluno: Art, History and Hiking

In Belluno, cultural highlights range from Palazzo Fulcis to historic buildings such as the cathedral and Porta Dojona. There are also five themed walks in the old town and opportunities for hiking. When planning your stay, consider whether art, architectural history, walks or a longer hike is your main priority.

Art and architecture in Belluno

Palazzo Fulcis De Bertoldi is the new home of the civic museums of Belluno’s historical and artistic collections. The building was converted for this purpose following a restoration project that began in 2012. The exhibition space covers about 3,000 m² across five levels. This makes the palazzo a clear cultural highlight for your trip: the collections and exhibition space are the main focus, while the five levels give an impression of how the building is laid out.

Belluno’s new cathedral also brings together architectural and art history. Construction began in 1517, based on a design by Tullio Lombardo. The cathedral houses works by Cesare Vecellio, Andrea Meldolla, known as lo Schiavone, Jacopo Da Ponte, Andrea Brustolon and Gaspare Diziani. This lets you explore different aspects during a cultural stay: the collections of the civic museums at the palazzo, and the start of construction and preserved works at the cathedral.

Historic buildings and their historical context

Palazzo dei Rettori was the seat of the Venetian rectors, who governed Belluno and its territory, for almost four hundred years. Porta Dojona is linked to a specific building commission: its inner arch was built in 1289 by Vecello da Cusighe for the bishop and count Adalgerio da Villalta. The two sites offer different historical perspectives. Palazzo dei Rettori is notable for its long-standing role in government, while Porta Dojona features a precisely dated building from the 13th century. By comparison, construction of the new cathedral did not begin until 1517.

Walks and hikes

The Scoprire Belluno project offers five themed walks exploring the old town. The different themes can provide a structured way to discover Belluno’s old town on foot. Check the routes’ availability before your trip so you can plan accordingly.

There are several points of reference for hiking. In the Valle dell’Ardo, some trails are part of the Club Alpino Italiano trail network and are open to hikers. One specific hike leads from Col di Roanza to the summit of Monte Serva via trail 517; it takes about three and a half hours. Monte Serva lies within a national park. The trails and the summit hike differ in scope: one refers to individual trails within a network, while the other is a hike with a starting point, trail number and summit destination. As conditions on individual trails may change, check them before setting out.

Getting there by train

Belluno is served by two railway lines: Padua–Montebelluna–Feltre–Belluno and Venice–Treviso–Conegliano–Ponte nelle Alpi–Belluno. If you plan to travel by train, choose the connection that suits your starting point and check the timetable for your travel dates. This will help you fit the journey into the rest of your travel plans without having to decide in advance which focus to choose.

Discover more destinations: San Nicolò Di Comelico, Soccher, Auronzo Di Cadore, Domegge Di Cadore, Cherz, Cortina D'ampezzo, Villanova, Longarone

For the broader travel overview: Belluno.