THE “CALÀ DEL SASSO” - Asiago
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4,444 steps take you from the mountain to the plain! This is one of the most amazing creations of the inhabitants who lived in this area many centuries ago: a staircase built during the dominion of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, between 1388 and 1392. The “Calà” connects the Plateau (specifically the village of Sasso) with Valstagna, Valsugana and the whole plain at the feet of the mountain. The unique feature of this “channel of communication” is its architecture: it consists of 4,444 steps. Originally there were only 4,422 steps, but in 1498, since the riverbed of the Ronchi stream sank, another 22 steps were built to extend the stairs. The stair is 2-metre wide and, on the side, there is like a natural ramp that goes for all its length and that was used for sliding the timber logs and bringing them down to the valley. Wood has always been a valuable product that strongly supported the regions of the Plateau on the market throughout history, and was especially appreciated by the Venetian shipyards, which used timber for construction of ships in the Republic of Venice.
The “Calà” is a unique example of engineer skills: surrounded by the steep cliffs and the breathtaking abysses of Val Frenzela, it was of vital importance for the local people, since it served for many centuries as the main route for trade and communication with the valley. The “Calà” was then abandoned for several decades and not used as a route for trade anymore; but recently it has been recognized as an important historical and natural monument. Every year in August, the “Calà” houses the theatre called “historical torchlight”.
The “Calà” is a unique example of engineer skills: surrounded by the steep cliffs and the breathtaking abysses of Val Frenzela, it was of vital importance for the local people, since it served for many centuries as the main route for trade and communication with the valley. The “Calà” was then abandoned for several decades and not used as a route for trade anymore; but recently it has been recognized as an important historical and natural monument. Every year in August, the “Calà” houses the theatre called “historical torchlight”.
