I’d like to tell you about Feltre, one of the most fascinating walled cities of the Belluno province in Veneto. Within its walls you’ll find palaces, and architecture that could constitute a capital, as well as spiritual and cultural heritage of irreplaceable value. It is a magnificent medieval village located in close proximity to the Belluno Dolomites National Park which means that you can quickly move from the city to various nature trails and cycling paths within the Park. The historic center is a prime location for cultural, traditional, artistic and sporting events and the area as a whole is perfect for slow and competitive progression, for Nordic walking and urban trekking activities, as well as for cycling. The ancient Roman road Via Claudia Augusta, the second most frequented cycle path in Europe, runs through Feltre and its surrounding territories and has made it a key destination for cyclists.
Feltre is a city that designs, plans, and invests in the bicycle. It has always had a cycling soul. It’s on the Tour of Italy route, home of the Passo Croce d’Aune which is located in the neighboring municipality of Sovramonte where Tullio Campagnolo was inspired to invent the quick release of the rear wheel. It’s also home to the Granfondo Sportful and of the Sportful and Castelli brands, leading companies in the sport.
It only makes sense that Feltre would be hosting its cycling festival Viva la Bici from April 5-15th. Ten days of concerts, shows, meetings, readings, lessons and rides, and anything else you can imagine are planned in the town. Feltre wants to ensure that the bicycle is not only considered a means of transport, but also a movement of ideas, a lifestyle, a heritage of history and stories, of education and culture, of identity and humanity.
There are in fact numerous events planned that will delight cyclists and tourists alike. Concerts like that of Tetes de Bois, guests like Mary Canins (a gold medalist in cycling at Ronse 1988 World Road Cycling Championships), and Sandro Donati will be present.
There will also be the inauguration of a specialty library dedicated to cycling in all its literary forms, from textbooks to essays, from novels to biographies, from fairy tales to poems. Among the participants: Lorenzo Cremonesi of the “Corriere della sera”; the writer and journalist Marco Pastonesi; author and cyclist Alberto Fiorin.
Cyclist or not, there will be something for everyone in Feltre!
Check out our article Prosecco Festival 2018 for other itineraries in the area.
Photo copyrights: visitfeltre.info, dolomiti.it
