Santo Stefano di Cadore
Santo Stefano di Cadore is the main town of the Comelico, the northernmost tip of the province of Belluno, set among the Dolomites...
Updated 12 July 2026 · Sources: https://it.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Stefano_di_Cadore · https://www.bellunesinelmondo.it/santo-stefano-di-cadore/ · https://www.dolomitivalcomelico.it/s-stefano-di-cadore/
The story
The story of Santo Stefano di Cadore
The main town of the Comelico among the Dolomites
The municipal territory lies in the upper Cadore, on the border with the Comelico valley, in a landscape dominated by dolomitic peaks and crossed by the Piave, which here receives the waters of the Padola stream. Its position, historically a passage towards Austria through the Comelico valley, has made Santo Stefano a reference point for the whole area.
From medieval statutes to the Venetian Republic
The town's origins date back to the early second millennium. It was the seat of the centenaro of Comelico Inferiore, a name it kept until 1894, when it took its current name. Having come under Venetian rule in 1420, it obtained its own statutes in 1444, a sign of administrative autonomy consolidated over time.
The mascarada and carnival traditions
A tradition typical of the Comelico, still alive in Santo Stefano, is the mascarada: the carnival procession with music and dances featuring characteristic masks such as the laché, the matazin and the paiazu, elements of an alpine folklore with ancient roots.
The historic All Saints' fair
Since 1256 the All Saints' fair has been held every year, a long-standing trade event that still attracts thousands of visitors today, confirming Santo Stefano's historic role as a trading centre for the entire Comelico.
Woodcraft and mountain life
Until the last century the town had numerous mills along its streams and an economy tied to the timber trade. Woodcraft workshops can still be found today, evidence of a knowledge passed down through the valleys of the Comelico.
Experiences not to miss
- Assistere o partecipare alla mascarada di carnevale
- Watch or take part in the carnival mascarada
To see
What to see in Santo Stefano di Cadore
Routes · Trovido Route
