Casa delle Regole (House of the Rules) in Canale d'Agordo

The House of Rules

Canale d’Agordo | Agordino Dolomites

The Casa delle Regole (House of Rules) is a historic 17th-century building of the Dolomites UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site located in the Municipality of Canale d’Agordo in Val Biois, Province of Belluno, Veneto Region.

The House of the Rules of Canale d'Agordo in the Italian Dolomites — The House of Rules of Canale d’Agordo

The Casa delle Regole in Canale d’Agordo is situated in the small but charming square of the hamlet of Tancon (about 200 meters from Piazza Papa Luciani) and appears to date back to 1640, a date reported under the architrave of the building on the exterior facade. Nevertheless, it’s not excluded that the original structure predates this, as emerged from restorations of buildings annexed to the Casa delle Regole.

The construction of what is now known as the Casa delle Regole in Canale d’Agordo is attributed to the wealthy Doglioni family from Belluno. In the first half of the 17th century, many members of this Bellunese family held prominent positions within the Regola di Pittigogn (or Pitiguogn): a Doglioni was at that time Captain of Agordo, a brother of his held an important role within the local clergy, and a third practiced as a notary in Canale d’Agordo. It is believed that the latter, Bernardo Doglioni, conducted his business in the building now known as the Casa delle Regole.

The function of the Casa delle Regole in the past, as the name itself suggests, was as a meeting place for the representatives of the Regola di Forno de Canal, the so-called “Capi Colmèl” [hamlet chiefs]. In this building, meetings of the hamlet representatives were held to deliberate on various topics related to the practical administration of the municipal territory of Canale d’Agordo. The Regola di Forno de Canal belonged to the Regole di Soprachiusa (see History of Agordino section) and was a territorial management system in use in the Dolomite areas under the Serenissima Republic of Venice from 1411 to 1806.

Externally, the Casa delle Regole in Canale d’Agordo appears richly frescoed on the first floor; the frescoes, all with religious themes, are probably from the 18th century. The frescoes, some of which have undergone restoration, depict the Blessed Virgin of Carmel with Saint John the Baptist (Patron Saint of Canale d’Agordo) and Saint Nicholas of Bari (another very important saint dear to the people of Belluno); there is also the dial of an ancient sundial on the left side of the building.

The Casa delle Regole was partially restored with public funds during the twenty-year period between 1985 and 2005. Today, the Casa delle Regole is partially public property (with the exception of the ground floor, which is private); it is administered by the Municipality of Canale d’Agordo. Throughout the year, there are frequent opportunities to access it, as the structure often hosts exhibitions and some conferences, and also offers the possibility of visits for groups and school trips by prior reservation with Pro Loco Canale d’Agordo (contacts listed below). Also, at the back of the building, there is the Garden of Memory, a free museum space dedicated to the fallen of the Russian Campaign 1941-1943.