Sàrmede
A visit to the Exhibition "Le immagini della fantasia" provides an opportunity to uncover the delights of one of the most enchanting corners of the Marca Trevigiana in the Veneto Region (Italy), where the gentle plains stand in stark contrast to the enormity of the Cansiglio mountains. A first visit should be reserved for the little centre of Sàrmede and the surrounding areas of Rugolo, with its interesting fourteenth century Parish church, erected near the site of the former building dating back to the 6th century, and Montaner, which takes its name from the long-gone Da Montanara family, a noble lineage that gave rise to the celebrated Da Camino family referred to in Dante’s works. The age-old history of this area distinguishes itself from local legends, such as the one which recounts the story of a people that came from far away to settle in the “Levine Rosse” area. This legend told of a people whose customs were somewhat liberal, and who were given to enjoyment and banquets alone.
However, the forces of nature soon unleashed their fury upon them: the ground began to shake and they were swallowed up in the bowels of the earth, and from that moment on nothing more was ever heard of them.
Legendary events that are nevertheless confirmed by the seismic nature of the area and the discovery of Bronze Age pottery, found right at the "Levine Rosse" site, and testimony to the actual existence of an ancient settlement.
Among the nearby art cities: Vittorio Veneto, a beautiful town created in 1866 when the ancient centres of Ceneda and Serravalle were joined, marked by an unmistakeable Venetian character; Conegliano, dominated by its castle; Oderzo, with its archaeological museum which documents the importance of this town, known as Opitergium in Roman times. Just a few kilometres from Sàrmede, it is possible to immerse oneself in the extraordinary scenery of the “Gran Bosco” or Great Forest of the Cansiglio, one of the most delightful nature reserves in Europe, with its majestic beech forests and caverns. In Fregona, close to Sàrmede, a visit can be made to the Calieron Caves.