Longarone, Mountain commune in Province of Belluno, Italy
Longarone is a mountain commune in the Belluno province, resting at 473 meters along the Piave River amid forested slopes and steep rock faces. The present layout follows the main road, with residential neighborhoods and industrial zones spreading along the valley floor.
In 1963, a wave from the Vajont reservoir destroyed the old center entirely, killing 1917 people. Reconstruction began shortly afterward, leading to the current layout with new buildings and infrastructure built from the ground up.
The settlement spreads where the Maè meets the Piave, and both waterways shape how people move and build in this valley. Many residents work in eyewear production, an industry rooted in local craft traditions that continues to define everyday working life here.
The commune is accessible by car via State Road 51 and by train on the Calalzo–Venice line, with the station located near the center. Visitors walking around will find sidewalks along the main road and a compact layout that can be explored without steep climbs.
Archaeologists uncovered Roman artifacts in Fortogna and Pirago, including a dedication tablet to the healing god Asclepius and everyday ancient objects. These finds show that the valley was already settled in antiquity and served as a transit area.
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