Although it is unclear when exactly man first set foot in the valley del Boite, it is highly probable that the first to enter the valley were hunters or pastors. Testament to this is the fortuitous and precious discovery of a body dating back to the Mesolithic age. Adorned with funeral gifts, this find has become known as the "man of Mondeval", and dates back to circa 7000 years ago.

The oldest archived document relating to San Vito dates back to 1156, while the village itself was constituted in 1203.

After freeing itself from feudal submission and after having overcome the terrible plague of 1348/51, the territory of San Vito was finally formalised in the constitutional statute of Cadore. The region enjoyed great freedom until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. During this splendid period the territory enjoyed unparalleled economic prosperity and in Cadore commercial, artisan and cultural initiatives boomed.

While the ancient regolieri consolidated their importance, thereby guaranteeing a balanced use of the territory, the region developed important trade links with Northern Europe along the Roman Road that leads from the Val Pusteria through San Vito, the Boite and Piave valleys all the way down to the Adriatic coast.

Water from the River Boite fed the mills and saw-mills, but other forms of craftsmanship and woodwork related to the timber industry flourished, too. During this time period the community of San Vito completed some of its most significant architectural, artistic, cultural and historical constructions, such as the Church Beata Vergine della Difesa. The Church Santi Vito, Modesto and Crescenzia underwent significant structural changes.
In addition, in 1753 the community of San Vito was forced to erect the famous "muraglia di Giau" to draw the borderline between Ampezzo and San Vito and to finally bring to an end the hundred year old dispute about these pastures.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century the area suffered not only at the hands of Napoleon, but also the famine in 1817, Austrian domination until 1886 and then severe emigration up until the end of the century. During the First World War San Vito acted as a border town along the Austrian and Italian front.

The first tourists arrived in San Vito at the turn of the century to discover the Dolomites on foot. After the 1930's tourism gained importance, leaving a deep and enticing mark on the local economy. This heralded the start of the modern tourist boom.

To finally settle the continuing dispute between San Vito and Cortina about the rights to these highly desired pastures, the International Austro-Venetian Council gathered at Rovereto in 1752. The Council ordered San Vito to erect, at its own expense, a wall from one side of the valley to the other so as to close it off completely.
At least six feet high, five feet wide at its base and two at the top, this wall had to be constructed within 90 days. At risk of losing the rights to this land, the local inhabitants managed to meet the deadline. Even today this wall, dating back to summer 1753, is clearly visible and with its boundary stones it is an extremely interesting and worthwhile place to visit.

The Man from Mondeval constitutes and exceptionally important archaeological find. In 1985 the tomb of a prehistoric hunter was discovered on a wide plateau at 2150m, located between Mount Pelmo and the "lastoi di Formìn", within the San Vito territory.
Dating back to 7000 years ago, the skeleton was found lying on its stomach next to an array of carved stones, tools and ornaments made of deer tooth.
Archaeologists have found numerous animal bones nearby.

The so-called hunter of the Dolomites was about 1.70m tall and in all probability died after fracturing his spine. He was buried beneath a large natural rock shelter, together with his everyday tools. The '"uomo di Mondeval" is now preserved in a museum in Selva di Cadore, while excavations continue at the original site led by Prof. Antonio Guerreschi from the University of Ferrara.

Magnificent Mondeval is easily reached on foot in less than two hours from Passo Giau via Forcella Giau.

Historical sources: Mario Ferruccio Belli, journalist and writer.