IT
EN
ES
FR
IT
EN
ES
FR
IT
EN
ES
FR
IT
EN
ES
FR
Situated in northeastern Italy, this extraordinary territory epitomizes a perfect symbiosis of human activity and nature. The undulating hill ridges here are an expression of vine cultivation for the production of the renowned Prosecco wine. The vineyards elegantly extend along the slopes, creating a landscape of rare beauty and harmony. The vineyards are tended using traditional methods passed down through generations, and the land is sculpted with terracing, dry-stone walls, and pathways, all masterfully constructed to adapt to the hill profiles. This haven of biodiversity and culture represents the result of the longstanding interplay between humans and the land, blending tradition with innovation. Inclusion on the World Heritage list underscores the universal value of this agricultural and conservation practice, urging the preservation of this extraordinary landscape and its traditions for future generations.
Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene, located in northeastern Italy, constitute a unique landscape characterized by hilly ridges, steep terraced vineyards, forests, villages, and cultivation areas. For centuries, this rugged terrain has been shaped and adapted by humans. Since the 17th century, the use of terraced vineyards has created a distinctive checkerboard pattern landscape, with rows of vines aligned parallel and perpendicular to the slopes. In the 19th century, a vine cultivation technique known as "bellussera" further contributed to the aesthetic features of the landscape.
The "bellussera," developed by the Bellussi brothers in the late 19th century to combat downy mildew, involves a geometric arrangement of grapevines achieved by using rows of wooden posts, approximately 3 to 4 meters tall. The tops of these posts are interconnected with iron wires, creating a radial pattern. The grapevines are trained to grow along the iron wires, forming vineyards that, when viewed from above, resemble a gigantic beehive. This intricate and abstract geometric embroidery of nature defines the territory. This ancient method still relies on manual viticulture. The mosaic-like appearance of the landscape results from environmentally friendly practices that efficiently use the land, both in ancient times and today. Small vineyards on terraces coexist with patches of forest, small woodlands, hedges, and rows of trees that serve as wildlife corridors, connecting various habitats. Villages are scattered throughout narrow valleys or nestled atop hill summits.
The Colline del Prosecco of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a cultural landscape, joining the ranks of iconic sites such as the Amalfi Coast, Cinque Terre, Cilento and Vallo di Diano, the Sacri Monti, Val d'Orcia, the Medici Villas and Gardens, and the vineyard landscapes of Langhe, Roero, and Monferrato.
