Asiago is a small town in the northeastern Province of Vicenza located high in the mountains in the foothills of the Alps.  Best known for its Asiago cheese of course which is a Protected Designation of Origin cheese.

This town was the site of a major battle in 1916 in WWI between the Austrian-Hungarians and the Italian forces. The Battle of Asiago was designed to knock the Italians out of the war and was the scene of the offensive’s heaviest fighting. Inside the memorial lie over 60,000 soldiers.  Several relics surrounded the Memorial on the terraces.

WWI Memorial- a monument and museum

Skiing? Did anyone says skiing?  This town is also a major ski resort.

The scenery is stunning and the townspeople welcoming. A nice change from the bigger cities.  Asiago is located in a large green plain in the heart of the Veneto region and reaches up to 2,350 meters above sea level and was completely rebuilt after WWI.

The Dome of Saint Matthew is built using traditional pink marble, also local and stands opposite the City Hall.

The City Hall is constructed with white and red local marble in the classical style.  When the bells ring you can hear them all over town.

The Gardens of the Carli Square and the bronze statue in the Fountain of Faun is devoted to a mythological creature astride a deer. The central statue is a faun, the divinity of flocks and fields, with pointed ears, horns and goat feet.  He is surrounded by forest animals. It stands beside the Catholic Church of San Matteo.

The Church of Saint Rocco dates back to the XVI century and was destroyed during the Great War. It is in the Romanesque style with frescoes on the ceiling and walls of the interior.

Tourists roamed the streets and were enjoying the cafes and squares on the sunny Sunday I visited. The buildings are very Austrian looking due to its close proximity and influence from Germany, Austrian and Hungary.

We saw a multitude of walking paths.  Oh I so wanted to take a hike but – alas- not the right shoes for the occasion!

Of course, you know I took home CHEESE!!!!  Stay tuned for more from my recent trip to the Veneto region including Vicenza, Verona and Venice.

Looking for more Italy?  There are blogs on many different areas.  Here are links: Amalfi Coast; Puglia, including Lecce, Matera, Alberobello, Borgo Egnazia; Florence; Venice (stay tuned for some new Venice ones also); Tuscany including Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Lucca, Pienza, Pisa, Arezzo. Montalcino, Montefioralle, Greve and Montechiello.  Whew!  That’s alot of trips to Italy in the last few years!

Can’t wait to return!!!!