Discover Longarone: History, Nature and Hotels

Longarone combines the history of Longarone and Vajont with museums, memorial sites and landscapes in Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi.

Longarone and Vajont: history from several perspectives

At the centre of Longarone is the Museo Longarone Vajont – Attimi di Storia. It is dedicated to the history of Longarone and Vajont and presents it chronologically through an extensive collection of historical images, artefacts, eyewitness accounts and films. The tour is divided into four sections: Longarone before 9 October 1963, the construction of the dam, the disaster, and reconstruction and remembrance. The two museums focus on different aspects: the Museo Longarone Vajont presents the history of Longarone and Vajont chronologically, while the Museo della Pietra e degli Scalpellini focuses on working with stone and the generations of local stonemasons.

Another defining place is the Chiesa Monumentale di Longarone (Chiesa di Santa Maria Immacolata). It is dedicated to the victims of Vajont and was built according to a design by Giovanni Michelucci. The Vajont memorial to the victims is located outside. The Museo Pietre Vive is also part of the outdoor area of the Chiesa Monumentale. The church and cemetery feature different architectural accents: the Chiesa Monumentale is based on a design by Giovanni Michelucci, while the cemetery entrance portal is reminiscent of the dam.

Memorial sites with architectural details

The Cimitero Monumentale delle Vittime del Vajont comprises 1,910 white marble stelae, one for each victim of the disaster. Its entrance portal is reminiscent of the dam through its distinctive shape. On the ground floor of the portal, you will find a collection of artefacts and photographs recalling life in Longarone before the disaster. On the upper floor, there is a terrace overlooking the monumental cemetery. In the portal, the collection and terrace are located on different levels: artefacts and photographs below, and views of the monumental cemetery above.

The stonemasonry tradition and local culture

The Museo della Pietra e degli Scalpellini focuses on working with stone. It presents techniques for extracting, processing and transforming the material and honours the generations of local stonemasons. These include a collection of tools, photographs and eyewitness accounts. The five thematic sections give the museum its own structure. The museum combines the processes involved in working with the material with recognition of several generations of local stonemasons.

Forests and trails in the Dolomiti Bellunesi

The landscape also offers an independent way to experience Longarone. The Foresta di Cajada is part of Parco Nazionale delle Dolomiti Bellunesi and comprises dense forests with silver firs, beech trees, larches and mountain pines. The Val del Grisol provides access to the national park and leads towards the Pian de Fontana and Pramperet mountain huts. For those interested in nature, the two landscape settings differ: the Foresta di Cajada is characterised by dense forest vegetation, while the Val del Grisol leads towards Pian de Fontana and Pramperet.

Further places for orientation

Santa Giustina, Pelos Di Cadore, Malga Ciapela, Colmean, Pian Molin-costa di Mezzo, Cesiomaggiore, Chies D'alpago and Comelico Superiore

For the higher-level travel overview: Belluno.