A calm mountain city in northern Italy's Dolomites region, with a 16th-century cathedral and Renaissance palaces lining Piazza Duomo. Gateway to nearby ski slopes.
Belluno sits on a cliff where the Ardo and Piave rivers meet, with the snow-capped Dolomites creating a dramatic backdrop to the north. In the medieval center, you'll find the 68-meter bell tower of the Cathedral, frescoed walls of the Monte di Pietà , and the marble-faced Palazzo dei Rettori. The city's position made it an important trading route between Venice and Northern Europe, which you can still see in its architecture and art collections today.
Walking Through Belluno's Historic Center
Piazza dei Martiri (Campedèl to locals) forms the main square of Belluno, its triangular shape lined with covered arcades where cafes spill onto the street. Follow the cobblestone streets north to reach Piazza Duomo, home to the 16th-century Cathedral. Its bell tower, designed by Filippo Juvarra, rises 68 meters above the square. Next door, the 1491 Palazzo dei Rettori combines Gothic and Renaissance elements with its pointed arches and detailed marble work.
Art Collections and Museums
The five-floor Palazzo Fulcis houses 24 rooms of art dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. The collection includes paintings by Bartolomeo Montagna and Sebastiano Ricci, along with Renaissance bronze sculptures and porcelain pieces. Inside San Pietro Church, you'll find five paintings by Andrea Schiavone and three by Sebastiano Ricci hanging among medieval pointed arches and ribbed vaults.
Markets and Local Life
Each morning, farmers fill Piazza delle Erbe with stalls of fresh produce, local cheeses, and seasonal ingredients. The Monte di Pietà building, dating from the 1500s, watches over the square with its original frescoes still visible on the exterior walls. This market has run continuously since medieval times, making it an authentic place to buy local products and watch daily city life unfold.
Exploring the Dolomites
The Schiara mountains begin right at Belluno's northern edge, with hiking trails starting from the city streets. You can walk to several panoramic points or take full-day hikes to rifugios (mountain huts) in the Dolomiti Bellunesi National Park. During winter, Nevegal's 10 kilometers of slopes open for skiing, while summer brings ideal weather for mountain biking and paragliding from designated spots.
Getting Around
Trains connect Belluno to Venice every 1-2 hours, with the trip taking about two hours. The bus station sits next to the train station, with regular services to surrounding mountain towns and villages. You can walk between most city center sights in 15-20 minutes on foot.
