Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, Italy

At the 43^rd session of the World Heritage Committee in Azerbaijan in 2019, the site was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural property, where the work of the local winegrowers has, over the centuries, created a unique landscape.

The site’s unique landscape is defined by its hogback hills, a series of steep and elongated elevations interspersed with small and narrow valleys. The morphology of the land provides a distinctive mountain character with stunning vistas.

The height and width of the terraces were easily adapted to the varying gradient of the land as they were formed using grassy earth rather than the traditional dry stone walls, due to a relative scarcity of loose stones.

The result of the interaction between humans and nature has been the creation of a complex agricultural mosaic made up of vineyards with perpendicular rows of vines, scattered rural settlements, patches of forest, and small woodlands.

The aesthetic characteristics of the landscape were further enhanced in the 19^th century when the bellussera system of training the grapevines was developed, using wooden poles and steel wires to suspend the vines above the ground, creating a striking geometric design.

These buildings, which include castles, forts, monasteries and churches, are represented in the paintings of the artists of that time, often visible in the background of the religious paintings of the renowned Renaissance artist, Cima da Conegliano. 

The majestic CastelBrando, which dominates the beautiful town of Cison di Valmarino, dates back to Roman times, when it was built for defensive purposes. Later used as a private residence, a military hospital and then a monastery, it today houses a hotel and a museum.

The Cistercian Abbey of Follina, with its splendid Romanesque cloister, contains various valuable frescos and other works of art, as does the 11^th-century church of the village of San Pietro de Feletto, another of the region’s outstanding pieces of architecture.

The Trail takes in the property’s cultural and historical sights as it winds its way through the heart of the Venetian countryside, including numerous remnants of World War One, such as trenches, tunnels and military posts.

An added facet of the area’s cultural heritage is the lively arts scene that can be found here: music and literature come together at cultural events such as A Hill of Books and the Armonie music festival, paying reverence to creativity in this unique landscape.

As may be expected, the Prosecco Hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene offer an exceptional gastronomic experience. The region’s exquisite wine pairs perfectly with the many local traditional dishes, which include Spiedo Veneto, a special type of marinated, spit-roast meat.