Monte Zovetto
Monte Zovetto above sea level. The area is known for various activities such as hiking and mountain biking. It also hosts several archaeological sites related to World War I, including British trench warfare sites.
Geography
Monte Zovetto lies within the municipality of Roana, one of the seven municipalities that make up the Asiago Plateau, with a population of approximately 4,299 residents. The closest locality is Cesuna, in the municipality of Roana. The northern face overlooks Mount Ceramella, while its eastern side provides views of the Magnaboschi Valley and Mount Lemerle. On the western side, it faces Mount Busibollo.Geology
Triassic Period (about 250–200 million years ago)
The geological foundation of Monte Zovetto dates back to the Late Triassic, a period during which the first stages of sedimentary deposition occurred in the area. At this time, the region was submerged in a shallow sea, which facilitated the deposition of dolomites and limestone, forming the base of the mountain's geology. The main lithological unit characterizing Monte Zovetto is the Main Dolomite, a resistant carbonate rock that forms a solid base for the mountain. The Main Dolomite is a fundamental geological feature of the Asiago Plateau, as it is the parent rock of many of the mountain structures in the region.Jurassic Period (about 200–145 million years ago)
During the Early Jurassic, the region underwent a phase of geological change, during which the dolomite sediments were covered by layers of gray limestone. This limestone, mainly consisting of fine-grained micritic limestone, less resistant to erosion compared to the dolomites, contribute to the composition of Monte Zovetto. The presence of Jurassic limestone is particularly evident on the exposed slopes, where it forms visible stratification and contributes to the creation of more eroded and jagged landscapes. During the Jurassic period, erosive activity and the solubility of the limestone began to favor the formation of karst phenomena, such as sinkholes, swallow holes, and underground cavities, now among the predominant geological features of the area.Alpine Orogeny (about 35–25 million years ago)
The morphological evolution of Monte Zovetto underwent a significant transformation from the Late Cretaceous to the Tertiary, during the process of Alpine orogeny. This event was triggered by the collision between the African plate and the Eurasian plate, causing the uplift, folding, and fracturing of the pre-existing sedimentary formations. The uplift of the pre-existing dolomites and limestone led to the creation of the mountain ranges that now form the Asiago Plateau. The tectonic movement also generated a series of faults and folds, which have shaped the geological structure of Monte Zovetto.Pleistocene and Holocene (about 3 million years ago)
During the Pleistocene and Holocene, the region experienced further landscape modification, primarily due to glaciations. Although the area of Monte Zovetto was not directly covered by glaciers, the colder climate favored glacial erosion and the ablation of debris, contributing to the reorganization of the landscape. The karst phenomenon, intensified by abundant precipitation and surface waters, continued to shape the land, creating sinkholes and caves. These are a distinctive element of Monte Zovetto's landscape, reflecting the continuous interaction between the local geology and chemical erosion processes. The underground karst cavities also provide a habitat for various animal species.The Monte Zovetto stromatolite horizon, referred to as the 'Zovetto Horizon', is a prominent geological feature characterized by a continuous layer of stromatolites. This horizon is believed to have formed in a shallow, warm marine or lacustrine setting, where conditions supported the growth of microbial mats. These mats played a role in the stabilization of sediments and the development of the layered stromatolitic structures.
Climate
At the elevation of Monte Zovetto, the climate exhibits a mountainous temperate regime, with cool summers and cold winters. Summer temperatures are mild, typically ranging from 15°C to 25°C. Winter has temperatures often dropping below 0°C and typically averaging between −5°C and −10°C, especially at night or during periods of intense cold. The plateau generally experiences an annual precipitation ranging from 1400 mm to 2000 mm, with rainfall occurring fairly evenly throughout the year.Strong southern winds have caused significant environmental damage in the Asiago Plateau, including Monte Zovetto. These air currents have flattened extensive coniferous forests, altering the landscape.
Air quality
On Monte Zovetto, pollution sources are fewer compared to the plains below, resulting in good air quality. Local air pollution in general is attributed to activities such as fossil fuel production and use, industrial manufacturing, mineral extraction, waste incineration and agricultural practices.History
Etymology
According to Mario Rigoni Stern the mountains of the Asiago Plateau are named after Norse mythology. The etymology of the name Zovetto may also have local or dialectal origins.Ancient history
Human presence in the area of Monte Zovetto dates back to prehistoric times in the Middle Paleolithic, when Neanderthals inhabited the Roana region. Between 15,000 and 10,000 years ago this area became a site of human settlement. In the 14th–13th centuries BC, during the Bronze Age, a fortified village was established on Mount Cornion in the municipality of Lusiana. The first evidence of permanent settlements close to Monte Zovetto, dates to the late Iron Age at Castelletto di Rotzo. Here, a village of Rhaetian origin was destroyed by the Romans in the 2nd–1st century BC, as indicated by the discovery of burned remains and the Roman strategy of controlling the area.Roman period
In the 2nd–3rd centuries AD, the Romans built fortifications to monitor the movements of populations coming from the north. Roman sites have been found in the Lusiana and Rotzo areas. Under the Romans, the area of the Asiago Plateau and the Monte Zovetto region was organized as public grazing lands. The evidence of transhumance and the lack of permanent settlements in the region suggest that the Romans utilized the land for collective purposes, including summer grazing and forest exploitation.Middle Ages
In the early medieval period, following the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 AD, Germanic traditions revived collective land management practices that resembled the "Gemeinden" structure prevalent in Germanic regions. This system was then maintained by the Ostrogoths and it was further strengthened by the Lombards in 569 AD. These collective traditions persisted when the Franks gained control of the area. In the 9th century, the population of the area began to increase, as German-speaking communities established settlements on Monte Zovetto and the surrounding mountains. It was during this time that the Cimbrian language, a Germanic language still in use today in Roana, emerged on the mountain. Historically, this language was widely spoken across the mountainous area between the Adige and Brenta rivers.The history of Monte Zovetto and its surrounding area was shaped by feudalism and ecclesiastical power. In 915, the bishop of Padua was granted dominion over the Brenta valley, restoring Padua's control over the plateau. This was reinforced by Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor, in the 10th century. In the 11th century the Da Romano family, an important feudal family established in this area, formed strong ties with the Diocese of Freising in Bavaria. By the 12th century, the Da Romano family had established control over strategic areas like Castello di Godego and the frazione of Onara, important for regulating trade routes. In 1310, Monte Zovetto became part of the Spettabile Reggenza dei Sette Comuni, an autonomous federal government established to safeguard the independence of the communities on the Asiago Plateau. During this period, Venice expanded inland, acquiring territories such as Vicenza, Bassano del Grappa, and the Altopiano. The 1378–1381 War of Chioggia marked a turning point for Venice, and in 1405, the towns of the Plateau, including the Monte Zovetto area, formally pledged allegiance to Venice, becoming part of the Republic, though with special privileges. In exchange for autonomy, commercial and tax privileges, the people of the plateau promised Venice timber supplies and defence of the northern borders, particularly against the Habsburg imperial troops.
Modern times and the Napoleonic period
Due to its location, the Plateau and Monte Zovetto became the site of several conflicts during the 16th century. The militias of the Spettabile Reggenza were repeatedly forced to confront the invading armies of Sigismund of Austria. From 1508 to 1516 the War of the League of Cambrai, a conflict between the Republic of Venice and a coalition of European powers, including the Papal States, France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire, directly affected the Plateau. The Republic of Venice aimed to maintain control of the region and secure its borders, but the ongoing European wars influenced this area.After the fall of the Republic of Venice in 1797, Monte Zovetto region fell under French domination as part of Napoleon's territorial reorganization of Italy. This marked the fall of Venetian rule in the region. The Reggenza dei Sette Comuni ceased to exist in 1807, marking the end of its longstanding autonomy, with Angelo Rigoni Stern serving as its final chancellor. The area was absorbed into the Napoleonic domain but after Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, the Congress of Vienna in 1815 transferred control of the region to Austria, where it became part of the Austrian district of Vicenza. Despite initial acceptance of the Austrian rule, the local population grew increasingly discontent, especially during the 1809 Tyrolean Rebellion, which spread to Asiago. The Austrians attempted to secure their authority over the area but the region continued to face severe economic issues, aggravated by agricultural crises and poor living conditions.