Man has left a number of ancient marks in the Cinque Torri-Averau area since the early traces of seasonal settlements of shepherds and woodcutters and the alterations of the environment that followed.
An unpublished collection of 47th vintage postcards of Cortina and surroundings, from the 20's to the 50's .
The royal highway at Zuel, like in the old times, mount Antelao in the background, English engraving, 1870 ca.
Chapter 8 - To Venice to Venice!
The first patriarch, Bertrando, is still remembered by the Cadorini for his predilection for this border region to which he granted so much autonomy. His followers are Nicholas of Luxemburg, brother of the emperor; Ludovico della Torre, from Milan; Marquardo of Randeck, formerly bishop of Augsburg; Philip of Alençon, French, legate cardinal of the Pope to settle the disputes between Venice and the Hungarians; Giovanni of Moravia, cousin of emperor Charles IV; Antonio Caetani, who did not appreciate the distance from Rome, his hometown, and soon resigned; Antonio Panciera who ruled over Aquileia for 9 years until 1412, when he voluntarily gave the chair to Swebian Ludwig of Teck. The Venetian Republic was threateningly advancing to conquer territories on the mainland. In 1418, the Venetians occupied Feltre and Belluno; in 1419, Cividale del Friuli; on the 6th June, 1420, they entered Udine, thus surrounding Cadore from three sides. Under the patriarchs, the Cadorini had enjoyed a period of wealth and autonomy, had been governed by clever captains, who had often protected them from the claims of the neighbouring populations, as in 1411 at Cimabanche. All the patriarchs, true representatives of the universality of the Catholic Church, had always approved the Statutes and the several changes subsequently introduced. Yet, too strong were the pressure by the Doge. The decision was taken in summer. Following some inflamed discussions – it seems that some delegates wanted to call on the German emperor for help – the parliament decided by a majority vote, not unanimously. Cadore would negotiate its annexation to Venice. However, a diplomatic legation would be sent to ask the patriarch for the annulment of the oath of allegiance. On the 31st July, the same delegates, Nicolò Palatini, Antonio Barnabò, Antonio Venàs, and Bartolomeo Sala, just back from Udine, left for Venice. Doge Tommaso Mocenigo welcomed them with benevolence, as chronicles report, and accepted their offer of annexation. They were submitting the same requests their ancestors, a hundred years earlier, had submitted to the patriarch, minor pretexts had been added. Later, everything would be duly recorded in the Statute.
Venice would collect customs duties, profits from the mines and all the fines, but no other tribute would be levied upon Cadore, the Cadorini would always be ready to defend their territory but would never be mobilized outside it. Venice would send , at its own expenses, a captain with professional soldiers to watch over the castles of Pieve and Botestagno. The Cadorini would keep, as in the past, the monopoly of transportation ("ròdolo") within their region, while their rafts on the Piave would be granted the same concessions as the people of Friuli. Finally, Venice would confirm all jurisdictions, immunities, rights and privileges, including appeals before the Lieutenant of Friuli, formerly granted to Cadore and Caprile by the patriarchs "on conditions that this be to our dignity".
This event marked the beginning of the happy season that would last, for the Cadorini till the fall of Venice (1797), and for Ampezzo till 1511, when Maximilian's sword put a sudden end to it.
