Asolo

Asolo sits on a ridge in the foothills with views over the plain in several directions, which is where the nickname of a hundred horizons comes from. Caterina Cornaro, queen of Cyprus, was given the town in 1489 in exchange for her kingdom and held a small court here; Pietro Bembo wrote his dialogues Gli Asolani about it, and from the setting came the verb asolare, meaning to pass time in pleasant idleness, later used by Carducci and others. Robert Browning stayed and named his last book Asolando. Eleonora Duse, the actress, lived here and is buried in the town cemetery.

History

The town began as a settlement of the Veneti and is mentioned as Acelum by Pliny; its citizens were enrolled in the Roman tribe Claudia, and it appears as Acelum again in the acts of a synod held at Marano around 588 (Wikipedia, Asolo).

The main sights

• The ridge views - horizons in several directions over the foothills.
• The Cornaro castle - the seat of a queen given a town for a kingdom.
• The arcaded streets - a small centre of porticoes and frescoed facades.
• The Duse grave - the actress buried in the town cemetery.

When to go

April to October; the antiques market runs on the second weekend of most months. Summer weekends are busy. Winter is quiet with reduced opening.

Before you go

The town is very small and seen in a couple of hours. Parking is below with a climb or shuttle. Prices reflect its reputation as a retreat.

Nearby

Bassano lies northwest; Treviso is southeast.

Key facts