The Cansiglio is a pre-Alpine plateau between the provinces of Belluno, Treviso, and Pordenone. With its characteristic basin shape, it is a true paradise for hiking due to its forest, which is the second largest in Italy.
In this territory, there is a Cimbrian ethnic settlement dating back to the early 1800s. Of German origin, this population comes from Roana, one of the seven municipalities of the Vicentine plateau, which settled here due to the incredibly rich beech forests, a plant species suitable for artisanal work. Currently, the villages of Campon and Pian Osteria are inhabited by the Cimbri, while traces of some typical buildings remain in Le Rotte, Vallorch, I Pich, Pian Canaie, Canaie, Pian dei Lovi, and Valbona.
The historic building of Pian Osteria houses the Ethnographic and Cimbrian Culture Museum; it is open every day from June 15 to September 15 and can also be visited by appointment during other times of the year. Among the sections, the first is dedicated to woodworking; the second is dedicated to the artisanal activities of the Cimbri; the third is dedicated to the library and the screening of videos about the Cansiglio and Cimbrian culture, its history, and its legends. Finally, the good table: the restaurants of Cansiglio also offer Cimbrian recipes passed down through generations.
