Via Tiziano Vecellio 6, in front of the Duomo - 32032 Feltre (BL)
Summary
The archaeological area in the square “Piazza Duomo” displays relevant remains of Feltre in Roman and Medieval times. Particularly, the Roman age is represented by part of the urban area, with the remains of some workshops and of a public building which supposedly belonged to some professional association.
History of research
The earliest archaeological finds, particularly the baptistery, date back to the works for restructuring the area in 1926. The excavations were carried out by the General Direction for Archaeological Heritage in the Veneto region between 1970 and 1972 and in 1976. The importance of this group of buildings raised the issue of its presentation to the public, which started in 1983 and which required further excavation works in 1983 and between 1985 and 1986. The public presentation arrangements were finished in 1987.
Urban and geographical context
The territory of Feltre includes the most western part of the valley generated by the Piave river and between the Dolomiti and the Veneto Prealps. The main town in this territory is Feltre, which is located at 325 metres above sea level, west of the Piave river and at the bottom of the Dolomiti. The archaeological area is located in the city centre, under the square “Piazza Duomo”.
Chronology
I-IV A.D. and Medieval times
Roman and Late Antiquity workshops and buildings (Feltre Cathedral)
The archaeological area in the square “Piazza Duomo” displays significant remains of Feltre in Roman and Medieval times. The Roman phase of this settlement is testified by the remains of part of the urban district. Particularly, it is possible to see some private buildings, of which some had inner workshops (B and C) and others (D) had heating system. These buildings were accessible through a paved road (E) leading to the top of the hill (F); another paved road led south (G). Buildings B and C were built against the natural hill slope and were articulated on two floors. Building D is represented by a big rectangular-shaped room with hypocaust heating system running under the pavement. At the centre of the archaeological site it is possible to see the remains of a big building with three rooms paved in marble (Latin: opus sectile) and mosaic (A), that has been interpreted as the office of some professional associations (Latin: “schola”) such as those of blacksmiths, carpenters and rag dealers. The Medieval phase of Feltre is represented by the remains of religious structures (H, I). Building H is narrow and long and dates back to VIII-IX century A.D. Because of its architectural typology, quality and location near the cathedral it is believed that this building could have been connected to the most ancient local episcopacy. East to it there is the building I, the baptistery, which dates back to XI-XII centuries A.D. it has circular plan with two concentric rings: the proportions among the various structural components suggest that the baptistry might have had an upper floor with gallery.
Visiting
Admission: Negli orari di apertura Su prenotazione; Visitability: Interno; Ticket: No; Price: The entrance and the guided tours are free.;
School accessUpon reservation
TipologyWhenSpecs
SummerSaturday, Sunday 10-13, 16.00-19.00
WinterSaturday, Sunday10-13, 15-30-18.30
Summer (from 1/03 till 30/09), Winter (from 1/10 till 1/01). Out of the timetable the site is open upon reservations. For information: Association "Il Fondaco per Feltre", tel. 0439 83879 (from Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.), e-mail: fondacofeltre@yahoo.it.

Recommended tour time (minutes): 60
Services for visitors
Educational Services
Brochure
Brochure at the entrance
Information boards
Guided Tours
Guided tours by the association "Il Fondaco" per Feltre, tel. 0439 83879, e-mail: fondacofeltre@yahoo.it (prenotazioni telefoniche: martedì-venerdì, 9.30-10.30)
Educational activities
Teaching activities by the association "La Fenice", tel. 333 8535629
Library and documentation centre
Bibliography
Alpago Novello A. 1974, Monumenti altomedievali inediti nella Val Belluna, in Antichità Altoadriatiche, VI, pp. 527-529.
Mangani E., Rebecchi F., Strazzulla M.J. 1981, Emilia, Venezie (Guide Archeologiche Laterza), Bari, pp. 198-199.
Rigoni M. 1995, L'area archeologica sottostante la piazza Duomo di Feltre, in Archeologia Veneta, XVI-XVIII, pp. 69-78.
Rigoni M. 2003, L'insediamento antico e la romana Feltria, in Luoghi e tradizioni d'Italia. Veneto, I, Roma, pp. 487-492.
I luoghi della cultura 2006, Roma, pp. 378.
Bonetto J. 2009, Veneto (Archeologia delle Regioni d'Italia), Roma, pp. 489-490.