Cibiana Di Cadore: Murals, Craftsmanship and Monte Rite

Cibiana Di Cadore can be explored through several cultural highlights: the wall murals in the village, the history of ironworking and the landmarks on Monte Rite. There are also trails and seasonal activities.

Murals, Museums and Craftsmanship

Cibiana has about 60 wall murals painted by Italian and international artists. They depict the village’s history and can be seen on foot. The murals combine public art with local history: on a walk, you’ll encounter not just individual works but a common theme that runs through the frescoes.

Ironworking is also part of the area’s history. The development of the Rite Valley was closely linked to iron craftsmanship; mines were already active there in 1420. Cibiana developed a distinctive craft of key-making from its ironworking tradition. Local crafts also include the well-known “scarpete”: slippers made of cord and velvet, entirely handcrafted by women in Cibiana.

A 2018 description places the Museo del Ferro e della Chiave in the hamlet of Cibiana di Sotto, near the Ufficio delle Miniere. It describes an exhibition on two floors covering mining, ironworking and iron objects. The description also mentions bilingual panels in Italian and English explaining the technological development of processing metal into everyday objects.

Campo Base is Reinhold Messner’s second museum in Cibiana Di Cadore, after the museum on Monte Rite. It was conceived as a starting point for an intellectual ascent through Cibiana’s art and culture and the history of mountaineering. The Messner Mountain Museum also preserves fossils documenting the early formation of dolomite rock. These include Claraia shell fossils from 250 million years ago and fossil cycads from 240 million years ago.

Monte Rite: Fortress and Trails

The Fortezza Cadore-Maè was built between 1912 and 1914 on Monte Rite, at an elevation of 2,181 metres. Its present-day layout reflects its strategic importance during the two world wars. The fortress adds another historical highlight to trip planning, alongside the village’s murals and ironworking tradition.

The trail from Cibiana to Monte Rite follows CAI Trail 479, also known as the Sentiero del Col d’Orlando. It is described as wide and well marked. The summit can be reached on natural trails through the forest; the ascent is said to be about seven kilometres long. The Alta Via No. 3 of the Dolomites also passes over Monte Rite.

Cycling and Winter Activities

The “Cibiana e i Murales” cycling loop starts in Cibiana di Cadore. If you’re planning this ride, check the latest road and route conditions in advance, as they may change. This helps tailor your route planning to the specific ride.

In winter, the seasonal activities include a two-kilometre illuminated cross-country ski trail. You can ski there under the starry sky. Operating details may change, so check the latest information before planning. Alongside the murals that can be seen on foot and the trails on Monte Rite, this gives the season its own focus for activities during your stay.

When choosing a hotel in Cibiana Di Cadore, you can decide what to focus on based on whether you’d like to spend more time exploring art and the history of craftsmanship, Monte Rite or a seasonal activity.

Discover more destinations: Villanova, Corte, Salzen, Misurina, Gosaldo, Livinallongo Del Col Di Lana, Pieve D'alpago, Colle Santa Lucia

For the main travel overview: Belluno.