In northern Venetia, on the River Piave, is the provincial capital of Belluno (389m/1,265ft; pop. 36,000) which dates back to pre-Roman times. The cathedral, built from 1517 onwards and restored in 1873, has two beautiful altarpieces in the south aisle; from the campanile, 68m/223ft high, there are fine views. Also in this square are the Palazzo
dei Rettori (1496), a fine Early Renaissance building which now houses the Prefecture, and the Gothic church of Santo Stefano (1468), with an adjoining cloister. The Museo Civico, with pictures and bronzes, is worth visiting.