Discovering Historical Landscape and its Values in the Asolo Region, Italy

Abstract

Rural historical landscape, in Italy as in other developed countries, is being reduced to very few areas, due not only to urban development but mainly to the changes introduced by modern agriculture systems and uncontrolled building growth. The purpose of this study is to work out a method for the discovering of those parts of historical landscape still preserved, digitally processing ancient maps. A further aim is to evaluate the different features of historical landscape with a view to its preservation and management. To achieve these aims, the study uses an interdisciplinary approach, referring to disciplines such as landscape archaeology and air photo interpretation. The method worked out has allowed the discovering of three areas where rural landscape has not undergone to too many changes since 1713. A second result is the classification of 59 spot areas with peculiar elements of historical landscape. The study has been carried out on an area located in the north east region of Italy, with an area of approximately 15 by 10 Km, known once upon a time as "the pearl of Veneto".