Castello Lavazzo: Stonework and History

In Castello Lavazzo, traditional stonework, the Gardona fortification, and the Church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta offer different points of interest for those interested in cultural history. If you are looking for a hotel in Castello Lavazzo, these themes can help you plan your stay: they range from local working history to a hiking route, architectural history, and sacred art.

Stonework and finds in the museum

The Museo della Pietra e degli Scalpellini documents the traditional activities of stone quarrying and stonecutting on which the town depended. It is divided into five thematic sections. On the ground floor, an archaeological exhibition presents Roman-era finds from the Castellavazzo area. The fifth section is dedicated to Castellavazzo’s stone-related heritage and displays tools, photographs, and eyewitness accounts of generations of local stonecutters. Archaeological finds are thus presented alongside material and personal traces of local stoneworking.

From 25 March 2024 to 31 December 2030, the museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 6 pm. Check the opening hours before travelling.

Gardona and the route to the fortification

The Gardona fortification was probably built as an outpost of Castello Lavazzo during the Gothic War of 535 to 553. The only remains of the structure are those of the tower, with its unusual triangular ground plan. A hiking trail leads from the cement factory above the railway line to the ruins and follows the course of an old Roman road. The ruins can be reached along this trail. Check trail conditions locally before setting out.

Two distinct historical aspects come together at Gardona: its probable origin as an outpost places the fortification in its historical context, while the triangular ground plan describes the shape of the surviving tower. The trail also connects the ruins with the course of an old Roman road.

Church and sacred art

The Church of Saints Quirico and Giulitta dates from 1165 and was enlarged in 1524. The altarpiece by Egidio Dall’Olio depicts the martyrdom of Saint Giulitta and her child, Saint Quirico. The building’s history and the subject of the painting provide different points of reference: the dates place the building in its historical context, while the altarpiece focuses on the saints and their martyrdom.

The dates also differ: Gardona’s origins are probably placed between 535 and 553, while the church’s construction in 1165 and enlargement in 1524 are specifically dated. When deciding which historical themes to focus on during your stay, you will find a cautiously dated origin story alongside two precisely dated building phases.

The museum and Gardona offer different planning considerations for your trip. The museum’s days and hours are listed for a specified period; for the route to the fortification, check local conditions before setting out. This lets you plan the museum’s opening hours and the hike as separate highlights.

Discover more destinations: Pescul, Paderno, Corte, Pian Molin-costa di Mezzo, Cimasappada, Feltre, Villanova, Rivamonte Agordino

For the wider travel overview: Belluno.