Forno di Zoldo: History, Craftsmanship and Mountain Trails

Forno di Zoldo’s culture and landscape can be considered as distinct focal points. The parish church of Sant’Antonio Abate and the Museo del Ferro e del Chiodo give a visit to the village a historical and artisanal connection. The “Borghi da scoprire” circular trail combines cultural stops with mountain views; distinct from it are the uphill road from Castelaz to Malga Pramper and a snowshoe excursion in Val Pramper. The gelato tradition is also part of the area’s story, though at the level of Val di Zoldo. You can therefore plan your stay around the themes that matter most to you.

Church and Blacksmithing

The parish church of Sant’Antonio Abate in Forno di Zoldo already existed before 1454. It provides an early historical reference point within the village. The Museo del Chiodo, also known as the Museo del Ferro e del Chiodo, in the old Palazzo del Capitano di Zoldo offers a different perspective on history. Its exhibition illustrates the valley’s blacksmithing activity and the daily life associated with it. It includes images, texts and artefacts, as well as blacksmiths’ tools and a wide selection of locally made nails. In this way, the exhibition connects work in the forge with the objects it produced and the everyday life shaped by the craft.

A Circular Trail with Culture and Mountain Views

The “Borghi da scoprire” circular trail starts in the centre of Forno and leads to the small church of S. Francesco and the Palazzo del Capitanio, which houses the Museo del Ferro e del Chiodo. It also offers views of the mountains surrounding the lower Val di Zoldo and of Civetta-Moiazza. Unlike a single cultural site, the trail links several stops with views of the landscape. When finding your way, it is therefore worth noting not only which cultural sites the route passes, but also that mountain views are part of the same circuit.

Trails in Val Pramper

Beyond the circular trail, two routes with different characteristics take centre stage. The unpaved road from Castelaz climbs to Malga Pramper in Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi. The “Con la caspe in Val Pramper” snowshoe excursion, by contrast, follows a wide road throughout; snow conditions are seasonal. The two options therefore differ both in form and in the character of the route: one is an unpaved uphill road, the other a snowshoe excursion on a wide road. When planning your trip, this comparison can help you consider which type of activity best suits your interests, without treating the two routes as equivalent.

The Gelato Tradition in Val di Zoldo

A tradition of gelato-making developed in Val di Zoldo from the late 19th century to the present day. It was shaped by emigrants who produced and sold ice cream in border regions. This is a different historical focus from the valley’s blacksmithing activity: the museum exhibition illustrates a craft and the daily life associated with it, while the history of gelato centres on the connection between emigration, production and sales. Together, these themes offer different perspectives on culture and work in the region.

If you would like to include other destinations in your plans, you can also explore Montebello, Comelico Superiore, San Vito Di Cadore, Paderno, Nevegal, Fonzaso, Lorenzago Di Cadore and San Gregorio Nelle Alpi.

For the broader travel overview: Belluno.