Cavallino-Treporti is much more than a seaside destination. Located in the Venetian lagoon and surrounded by an unspoilt nature, Cavallino is an authentic place where history traces the path of an adventure to be experienced. Are you ready to discover the history of Cavallino-Treporti?
History and origin of the name
Before starting this journey through time, let us explain the origin and meaning of the name Cavallino-Treporti. The name Cavallino comes from the ancient toponym “Equilium”, that was the plain where horses were bred during the Roman Empire. And it is precisely from this time that our journey starts.
The municipality of Cavallino-Treporti (established in 1999) is among the youngest in Italy, but its history is anything but recent. Archaeological excavations at Lio Piccolo brought to light two Roman patrician houses: the first official traces that lead us back to Roman times.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cavallino and the nearby lagoon islands became a refuge for populations fleeing barbarian invasions. Centuries of decadence, poverty and disease followed, until in 1632 the excavation of the Cavallino Canal (called today Casson) opened a new navigation route with the Piave River and helped to the rebirth of the area.
As evidenced by the rural buildings dating back to the 19th century and still present in the area, Cavallino developed a strong agricultural vocation that allowed it to achieve economic, political and social stability. It was a positive wave that continued into the next century: the 20th century was marked by important land reclamation works, which defined the current landscape, and the building of military fortifications, later used during the World Wars.
The 1930s also saw the beginning of the first kinds of tourism and, in the 1950s, the first equipped campsites appeared, welcoming guests and offering them every comfort. This is the history of Cavallino-Treporti: a rural location between land and sea, today one of the most important European destinations for open-air tourism.
Monuments, buildings and sights in Cavallino-Treporti
Cavallino-Treporti is much more than long stretches of sand interrupted by the sea. It is a fascinating village, rich in traditions and sights that trace the history of the area from its origins to the present.
The forts of Cavallino-Treporti
If you are planning a holiday in Cavallino-Treporti, a tour of its “forts” is a must. These are military buildings once used to defend the Serenissima. Today they are abandoned, but they are one of the most suggestive attractions of the area, as well as a precious architectural heritage that tells an important period of the history and culture of Cavallino. Visit these forts during to your trip and immerse yourself in the past:
- Ca’ Pasquali Barracks
- “Mandracio” Barraks
- San Marco Battery
- Pisani Battery
- Amalfi Battery
- Treporti Fort.
Le Mesole: the rural village of Cavallino-Treporti
Mesole is a district of Cavallino-Treporti, an authentic place, still suspended in the rural life that characterised the village. Here history springs from every architectural settlement: the road, surrounded by the extraordinary lagoon environment, the first vegetable gardens and orchards, an ancient 17th-century oratory and the Mesole Convent, one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to 1380.
Lio Piccolo: hidden gem of Cavallino-Treporti
Among the most picturesque and iconic villages of Cavallino-Treporti, Lio Piccolo is a must-see on an itinerary to discover the history of the place. A favourite destination for nature and cycling enthusiasts, Lio Piccolo is also an historical gem. From a simple rural spot, the village began to attract the interest of Venetian nobles towards the end of the 18th century and then of the Mekhitarist Armenian Fathers, who purchased the village in 1889 and built the bell tower and rectory in front of the church that can still be admired today. It was a very flourishing period, thanks also to the activity of the local salt pans, but unfortunately from 1950 the village was abandoned.
In 2004, the municipality of Cavallino-Treporti purchased the site of Lio Piccolo and began a series of projects to restore and preserve this outstanding place, that can be admired on foot, by bicycle or kayak.
Discover Cavallino-Treporti with us
Come and visit us: we will be glad to welcome you to our campsite and suggest the best routes to discover the history of Cavallino-Treporti and dive into this natural paradise.