Asiago facts for kids

Asiago is a cool mountain town in the northern Italian Alps. It's famous for being where the delicious Asiago cheese comes from! The town sits on a flat area called a plateau, about 3,800 feet (1,000 meters) high. More than 6,000 people live here. Asiago is also known for a big battle that happened during World War I. You can find a special war memorial and an observatory (a place to look at stars) there. Today, Asiago's economy relies on farming, making dairy products, and tourism. Roads link Asiago to big cities like Verona, Venice, and Trento, which have international airports.

Asiago's Location and Nature

Asiago is located about 3,280 feet (1,000 meters) above sea level. It covers an area of about 1.8 square miles (2.95 square kilometers). Asiago is the biggest town on its plateau. The land here is mostly flat with some small hills. It's surrounded by the Brenta and Astico rivers. Much of the land is covered by forests or used for pasture (where animals graze).

Weather in Asiago

The temperature in Asiago usually ranges from 25°F to 71°F (-4°C to 21°C). The warmer time of year is from June to September. During these months, the average daily high temperature is around 64°F (18°C). The cold season is from November to March. The average daily high temperature then is below 43°F (6°C). Most of the snow falls between November and April. The average snow depth is usually between 0.1 and 0.4 inches.

Asiago's Past

Early Settlers

People have lived in the Asiago area since Paleolithic times (the Stone Age). Inside local caves, scientists have found proof of early settlers. They discovered things like weapons, stone tools, and cave paintings.

In the centuries that followed, different groups of people settled on the plateau. These included Bavarians, Scandinavians, and Cimbri. These different cultures left their mark on the local language and traditions.

An Old Alliance

Asiago and six other towns on the plateau formed an alliance (a special agreement) between 1310 and 1807. They shared a common government. This alliance was like its own small state and was a friend of the Republic of Venice. After 1807, Asiago became part of the Republic of Venice. Later, it joined the Italian kingdom.

World War I and Asiago

During World War I (1915-1918), the Asiago plateau was the site of many battles. Soldiers from Austria-Hungary and Italy fought here.

The most dangerous battle happened on May 15, 1916, and lasted for two weeks. It was the first time the Austro-Hungarian army used toxic gas on the Italian front. This battle caused the deaths of 15,000 Italian soldiers and 10,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers. The civilian (non-military) people of Asiago had to leave their homes. The town was destroyed because of heavy bombing. After the war ended, some people came back to Asiago and rebuilt the town.

The famous American writer Ernest Hemingway was in Asiago during World War I. He worked as an ambulance driver. In 1922, he wrote a poem called "Arsiero, Asiago," inspired by his time there.

What Asiago Does Today

Asiago's traditional economy was based on farming and using natural resources from the forests. More recently, this has changed. Now, tourism is very important all year round. There are also small manufacturing (making goods) and food processing factories.

Fun Things to Do in Asiago

Asiago offers many outdoor activities. You can go hiking and skiing. There are 500 kilometers of ski slopes and 260 kilometers of biking trails. This biking route is called the Plateau Grand Tour. Many tourists also love to try local foods and visit historical sites from World War I.

Since 2003, the number of tourists visiting Asiago has slowly gone down. In 2015, 174,139 tourists visited the town.

Asiago Cheese

Asiago is the hometown and main production area for Asiago cheese. People have been making this cheese since the 11th century. During World War I, the way the cheese was made changed. This was to feed the many soldiers on the plateau. This led to the modern version of Asiago cheese, which is now popular worldwide.

Asiago is the fifth largest site for cheese production in Italy. It mostly sends cheese to Switzerland and the United States. The rules for making Asiago cheese and its origin are set by European Union laws. A P.D.O. (protected designation of origin) label guarantees its quality and origin.

Asiago's People

In 2016, Asiago had 6,426 people living there. Like many mountain communities in Italy, the population has gotten smaller. Also, the people living there have become older in age over the last few decades.

Getting Around Asiago

Asiago is connected by roads to the cities of Vicenza, Trento, and Bassano. Regular bus services link Asiago to nearby towns and cities. The closest international airports are in Verona and Venice. Asiago also has a small airfield. It's a popular place for planes flying in from Northern Italy, Southern Germany, and Southern Austria.

Interesting Places to Visit

Asiago Observatory

The observatory in Asiago has the largest optical telescope in Italy. The University of Padua operates it. It was built in 1942 and is located at an altitude of 3,428 feet (1,045 meters). It's a great place to look at the stars!

Asiago War Memorial

The Asiago War Memorial is a large monument. It holds the bones of about 60,000 Italian and Austrian-Hungarian soldiers. These soldiers died on the plateau during World War I. The memorial was built in 1936 and opened in 1937. It is still an important national crypt and a place for official national celebrations.

Town Hall

The town hall was rebuilt in 1929. It had been destroyed during World War I. It is made of beautiful white and red marble. It is also decorated with Murano glass and mosaic art. Its tower holds a very large bell. The bell weighs 1,600 kg (about 3,500 pounds) and is 139 cm (about 55 inches) wide.

Forte Interrotto

Forte Interrotto is an old fort that looks over the town. It was built in 1887 at an altitude of 4,566 feet. It was first used as military barracks (a place for soldiers to live). During World War I, it became a fortress. Austro-Hungarian forces took it over on May 22, 1916. Its ruins are now a popular place for hiking.

Images for kids

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  The Town of Asiago.

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  Asiago Airport

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  Alpine-War 1915–1918 Monument in Asiago.

See also

In Spanish: Asiago para niños