Time seems to stand still in Fornesighe: a maze of alleys and narrow streets meet and form a village still made of wood and stone. The houses are built vertically to make the most of the limited space available and to accommodate the many households that inhabited this mountain hamlet.
The number of inhabitants is much smaller now, but the atmosphere there is still authentic. Everything has remained as it once was: the old tabià (barns), the old dairy, the steps outside the façades that seem to support the balconies, "soler," made of larch wood and the old doors with wooden hooks.
In this place, they are still following traditions, such as Carnival. Since the 19th century, the ancient "Gnaga" festival with wooden masks, traditional dishes and a dash of healthy craziness is still being held.
Curiosities and tips
- The hamlet called Veda, now uninhabited but still cared for by the people of Fornesighe, is worth a visit
- The 2 most typical Carnival masks are the Gnaga, a curved woman wearing huge clogs and a child in a pannier and the Om Salvarech, with a hairy body and protruding fangs
- Legend has it that, unlike many other towns in the valleys of Belluno, Fornesighe was never damaged by fire. Its appearance must then be the original one
