Flint-stones and engravings on rock walls in Valdassa are witness to the presence of prehistoric human life on the Highland. This presence was due to hunting and to the drawing of the flint-stones used to make scrapers, blades and other tools. In 1781 the Bostel Village in Rotzo was discovered, which brought to light traces of a people, maybe the first, which had lived in this mountains. These traces were small underground houses and handmade iron, bronze and silver money. Other traces of pre-christian settlements were found in other areas of the Highland. The Cimbro language, similar to German, is the most interesting document of the Highlanders' origins. The Highland was undoubtedly a shelter for people who, during post-romanic centuries, crossed the Alps. These people probably came from Bavaria, searching for lands to deforest and then cultivate. It is here that they kept their language and culture alive. The colonization began from the eastern (Enego) and western (Rotzo) sides of the plateau and continued (Rotzo in the west and Enego in the east) as far as the centre (Asiago). These Communes were protected by the Ezzelini family, Scaligeri and then, in the 15th century, by Visconti. It is from Visconti they received special economic privileges necessary to live in such a mountainous place as the Highland.
In 1310 the union of the 7 Commons received political and administrative autonomy through the Regency pact and, in 1404, they entered into an alliance with the Venetian Republic.This alliance lasted four centuries. Venice assured the essential privileges for the Regency but demanded the protection of the northern boundaries. This promise was responsible in 1487, 1508, 1805 for the sacking of the Highland, but there were also moments of victory. In 1631 the Black Death, prevalent all over northern Italy, reached Asiago and caused 1500 deaths. As a result of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars, Venice and the Regency went into decline. In 1815 (Congress of Wien) they became part of the Austrian Empire and the privileges were substituted by taxes which led to an economy of subsistence in the Highland. In this period also emigration towards other European and American cities began.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, traces of progress began to appear - hotels, banks and roads which linked the Highland with the plain below. In 1848 the "Cimbrica" Legion was born which stopped the advance of the Austrians. This Legion took place in the Renaissance and some voluntaries were present also in the second War of Independence and in Garibaldi's "1000 expedition". In 1866 the annexation to Italy took place. In 1906 the Valdassa bridge was built which became a useful internal line of communication with the plain below. During the First World War Asiago's position on the Austrian border became of strategic importance. The inhabitants were evacuated from the Highland, causing much upheaval and alienating people from their native culture. While reconstruction followed the War, unemployment and emigration was frequent and traditional occupations were insufficient to sustain the community.
After the 60s, tourism to the area increased, creating the need for the construction of cottages and apartments and a demand for a building industry. These events completely changed the face of the Highland, and through the revival of their economies the communities were able to preserve the cultural identity forged by their ancestors.
Municipio di Asiago: p.zza Risorgimento, 6 - 36012 Asiago (VI) - asiago@comune.asiago.vi.it
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