National Made in Italy Day: the Belluno eyewear district celebrates its roots with the “TERRE dell’OCCHIALE” project
The Eyewear Museum becomes a digital hub while companies open their doors: the Ecomuseum reveals the secret of skilled hands.
On the occasion of National Made in Italy Day, the world’s most important eyewear district announces a historic evolution. The official launch of “Terre dell’Occhiale – Ecomuseum of Belluno Eyewear,” scheduled for summer 2026, celebrates the recognition of Calalzo di Cadore as one of the symbolic birthplaces of Italian craftsmanship, where it all began at the end of the 19th century.
Calalzo and the roots of global excellence
Made in Italy is not just a label, but a story of courage and vision. By including Calalzo di Cadore among the symbolic places of Italian production, the Terre dell’Occhiale project pays tribute to the first factory and the pioneers who transformed a mountain valley into the global hub of the eyewear industry. A legacy that continues to evolve today, combining the industrial history of Cadore, Alpago and Agordino with the most advanced technologies.
The Eyewear Museum: a digital and accessible hub
At the heart of this narrative is the Eyewear Museum in Pieve di Cadore, now transformed into a cutting-edge technological hub. Thanks to a new digital cataloguing platform, the Museum’s heritage is accessible from anywhere: experts, scholars and visitors can explore the collection remotely with unprecedented technical detail.
In addition, a new immersive Virtual Tour allows users to travel through two narrative levels — the History of Vision and the Identity of Cadore — making eyewear culture accessible to a global audience in view of the international spotlight following the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
“Open Factories”: 13 leading companies
The core of the Ecomuseum lies in direct contact with production. To date, 13 local companies have joined the initiative, opening their workshops to show how a Made in Italy pair of glasses is created — an object where high technology meets the irreplaceable touch of skilled hands.
These 13 pioneers represent the first nucleus of an expanding network. Organisers are calling on the entire district to take part, with the aim of turning the Ecomuseum into the ultimate showcase of Belluno’s pride.
A prestigious network
The project, included among the initiatives promoted by @mimit_gov for National Made in Italy Day, is supported by Fondazione Cariverona, with co-funding from ANFAO, Confindustria Belluno Dolomiti, EBO (Bilateral Body for the Eyewear Industry) and Cortina Banca. Active partners include the University of Padua (Department of Cultural Heritage) and Certottica, with the patronage of the municipalities of Pieve di Cadore and Calalzo di Cadore.
Save the date: Summer 2026
Starting next summer, the Museum will coordinate the “Paths of Craftsmanship and Design”: an immersive experience blending digital and physical elements, guiding visitors into the very heart of Italian ingenuity.
Photo courtesy of the Eyewear Museum of Pieve di Cadore