Cibiana di Cadore: Murals, Museums and Trails on Monte Rite

Cibiana di Cadore combines an alpine landscape with an unusually rich cultural history. Around 60 murals by Italian and international artists depict the history of the town, while museums tell the story of mountaineering, fossils, mining and traditional crafts. There are also trails on Monte Rite, a cycling tour starting from Cibiana and opportunities for cross-country skiing in winter. This makes it possible to plan a stay combining local history, the mountains and active excursions.

Murals, Museums and Crafts

The murals of Cibiana can be viewed on foot. This means that the murals are not merely individual motifs scattered around the town, but accompany visitors as they explore it. Campo Base offers another way to discover the local culture: it is Reinhold Messner’s second museum in Cibiana di Cadore, after the museum on Monte Rite. Campo Base was conceived as a starting point for an intellectual ascent through Cibiana’s art and culture, as well as through the history of mountaineering.

The Messner Mountain Museum houses fossils documenting the early formation of the Dolomite rock. These include Claraia shell fossils from 250 million years ago and cycad fossils from 240 million years ago. The Museo del Ferro e della Chiave is dedicated on two floors to mining, iron processing and objects made of iron. It is located near the Ufficio delle Miniere in the district of Cibiana di Sotto. Bilingual Italian-English panels there explain the technical development of processing metal into everyday objects.

The history of the Rite Valley is also closely connected with ironworking; mines were already active there in 1420. Cibiana developed a distinctive craft from this iron processing for the manufacture of keys. Local handicrafts also include the famous “scarpete”, slippers made of cord and velvet that are produced entirely by women in Cibiana.

Monte Rite and the Trails of the Dolomites

The Fortezza Cadore-Maè was built on Monte Rite at an altitude of 2,181 metres between 1912 and 1914. Its present appearance is due to its strategic importance during the two World Wars. Monte Rite, Sasso dei Corvi, Monte Sassolungo di Cibiana and Col Vida are located in the immediate surroundings of Cibiana and give the town a clear connection to the mountain landscape.

The route from Cibiana to Monte Rite follows CAI Trail 479 and is also known as the Sentiero del Col d’Orlando. It is considered wide and well marked. The summit of Monte Rite can be reached via natural trails through the forest and an ascent of around 7 km. The Alta Via No. 3 of the Dolomites also passes over Monte Rite. Those choosing a hotel or other accommodation in Cibiana can therefore consider these themes together when planning their trip: local culture, mountain trails and the historic character of Monte Rite are central to a range of day plans.

Cycling, Winter and Excursions in the Surrounding Region

For an exploration by bicycle, the “Cibiana e i Murales” cycling tour starts in Cibiana di Cadore. In winter, Cibiana offers a lit 2-km cross-country ski trail where it is possible to ski under the starry sky. The Laghetti delle Tose park is located in the surroundings of Cibiana and adds to the range of regional excursion destinations.

In the wider region surrounding Cibiana are the ancient site of Roggia dei Mulini, the Forte Alto di Col Vidal fort and the Batterie Corazzate di Col Vidal fort. Together with the museums, murals and trails on Monte Rite, they create a destination that you can explore according to your interests through cultural history, hiking, cycling or cross-country skiing in winter.

Other Places Nearby

Garna, Pian Molin-costa di Mezzo, Campagna, Dosoledo, Agordo, Castion, Misurina and Feltre

For the overview of the wider travel region: Belluno.