eltre is a noble town lying on a strategic and favourable position for the direct connections towards the Po plains. It boasts mythological origins (from the Asiatic prince Ferrato, presumably from Eligio, leader from the Euganean area arrived in Feltre once his people had been expelled by Antenore, founder of Padua or presumably from the same Lybian Ercole) Remarkable remains proving its strategic position date back from the middle and late Bronze Ages. Earlier remains refer to steady settlements dating back to the second Iron Age (5th, 6th century B.C.). Plinio il Vecchio refers to Feltre as a Raetic town which, like several other town belonging to the Gallia Cisalpina, was included in the Roman Empire in the 2nd century B.C. It reached its administrative independence between 49 and 42 B.C. It was included in the tribe Menenia, one of the 35 Roman tribes. The presence of high magistrates was proved by remains such as IVVIRI IURE DICUNDO (Quattuorviri giusdicenti i.e. Lord Mayors), DECURIONES (members of the town hall, so called ORDO DECURIONUM) and PRAEFECTI IURE DICUNDO.

nscriptions in the feltrino area prove the presence of some Collegia (associations) such as Fabri (blacksmiths), Centonari (rag dealers who re-used old fabrics and manufactured blankets for fire extinguishing by using pieces of old clothes (centones) ), Dendrophori (woodsmen, craftsmen, merchants, and dealers in the processing, sale and transportation of wood) Some excavations underneath Piazza Duomo brought to light a remarkable historical borough belonging to the ancient Feltria which dates back to the II and IV century A.D.. Some other findings on the Colle delle Capre (location of the castle and presumably seat of the Roman forum) and along the slopes of the Colle help us recognize the difficult town plan. The remains of a road consisting of basoli (lava stones) refer to the excavation works underneath Feltre's cathedral. The road stretched from east to west, was connected to a paved path presumably leading to the Colle. Another road on the opposite direction adjacent to a building, presumably a house. Among the other structures brought to light there were shops, one of which connected to the house, as customary in the Roman age, maybe a schola, i.e. seat of some professional associations (see above Fabri, centonarii and dendrophori). A structure whose use is still unknown, a building connected to a 11th 13th-century-baptistery featuring a circular plan and a second floor with balcony.