Cansiglio

The height of the Cansiglio plateau above sea level is more than . that rises to a maximum height of above sea level and includes rocky peaks such as Monte Costa, the Cima Valsotta, Monte Millifret, Pizzoc and the Monte Cavallo. These mountains separate the Cansiglio from the short Val Lapisina valley. The outcropping rocks date from the Late Jurassic to the Paleocene. The plateau has a limestone soil and features several examples of karst topography which produces depressions and gorges as well as limestone pavements, sinkholes and residual conical hills. There are over 250 caves in the area, the most famous being the Bus de la Lum, Bus della Genziana and Abisso del Col della Rizza. Their depths are , and respectively. The area also contains several ponors. Being in what is in effect a depression, the plateau traps cold air, resulting in increased humidity and a climate that is 2° colder than comparable areas at the same altitude. Most of the territory of Cansiglio is covered by woods, mostly local beech, although there are also non-native coniferous trees such as the European spruce. Due to the climatic characteristics of the plateau, the vegetation follows a more inverted distribution than usual: species typical of colder environments occupy the lower altitudes, and those typical of milder ones are at higher altitudes. Anemones grow in large number under the beeches in summer. Large open spaces are used as pastures for sheep and cattle. The area is at medium-high seismic risk, with earthquakes having occurred in 1936 and 1976. ==History==

Prehistoric remains show that the area was inhabited from as early as the 8th millennium BC. The area is mentioned officially for the first time in a document of 923, a diploma used by emperor Berengar I of Italy to donate it to the bishop of Belluno. An 1185 papal bull issued by Lucius III called it Campum silium. In 1404, together with Belluno, the area became part of Republic of Venice. After the collapse of Venice and the period of Austrian dominance, the area became the state property of the Kingdom of Italy in the late 19th century. During World War II Cansiglio was the seat of partisan resistance against the German occupation. After a mopping-up operation lasting from late August to early September 1944, which ended in a victory for German forces and those of the Italian Social Republic, the Bus de la Lum was used as an improvised cemetery for casualties from both sides, as well as for local civilians killed by the Germans after the partisans had escaped. ==References==