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 The rupestrian inscriptions in the "Assa Valley" of Canove di Roana and the
remains of the Paleovenetian village Bostel in Rotzo tell us about the
ancient human presence in these mountains. Physical characteristics, rites,
uses, and the ancient language of these people together with their mythology
show Nordic if not Bavarian origins.
The "Cimbri" people colonized this land many centuries ago.
From 1310 to 1807 the "Altopiano" formed an indpendent state known as the "Honourable
Regency of the 7 Communes", one of the first confederations that ever
existed.
It was allied with the "Most Serene Republic of Venice" with whom they
traded.
The First World War marked this land indelibly, ist scars are still visible
on the ground.
Nowadays the "Altopiano of Asiago 7 Comuni" is one of the most reknowned
touristic resorts in Europe and can accomodate tens of Thousands of people
every year.
With the increasing annual tourism we are constantly working towards greater
tourist satisfaction.
Cimbrian is a word that has been used a little bit improperly in the last
few centuries to indicate a language spoken in seven 'Comuni' of Vicenza and
in thirteen 'Comuni' of Verona.
It is a language which connects itself to Old Bavarian and Old German, a
language which has miraculously survived in the Venetian Hills, protected by
the territorial isolation and an age-old economy of subsistence.
Unfourtunately this dialect is slowly dying out.
Nowadays, especially in Rotzo, Mezzaselva and Roana we only find a few
people who still use it currently.
There are a few words very similar to German who are still regularly used :
rach (moss), rasetle (wren), loch (hole), tanna (White-Deal), tal (valley),
grabo (pit).
Of Cimbrian origin are also the numerous placenames (Barenthal, Tanzerloch,
Odegar), and nicknames which accompany the traditional names of the families
of the Altopiano.
Of the Cimbrian Culture not only the language remains, but also a rich
heritage of traditions connected to the everyday life of the people and
their imagination : songs and fables which describe a legendary world.
The very few written texts which exist, proof of the use of the Cimbrian
language, are preserved in the Museo della Cultura Cimbra in Roana and was
promoted by the 'Istituto di Cultura Cimbra'.
Courtesy of the
Asiago Official Tourist Board
Altopiano d'Asiago Itineraries
Asiago the altopiano
Asiago the history
Asiago winter and summer sports
Asiago typical products
Asiago traditions, folklore and legends
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