There are no precise records of the history of the Oratory of Saint Agapitus.
The first certain documentation dates back to the 16th century, but some masonry structures indicate building styles from the 13th century.
During a recent restoration and reconstruction of the roof, an engraving of the date 1728 was uncovered, marking the period of extensive restoration and partial rebuilding of the building in its current forms, according to the truly simple yet elegant styles of the time, also seen in other ancient chapels clinging to the steep rocky slopes at the foot of the mountains.
A bell dates back to 1529, the period of the first expansion. There are numerous furnishings of notable craftsmanship and stone materials of local origin from various eras. The interior is truly elegant, featuring the characteristic wrought iron grating that separates the presbytery area.
The feast takes place on August 18 when, in the past, the parish priest of Cesiomaggiore would process to the chapel.
The Pieve of Cesio, to which the Oratory of Saint Agapitus belongs, is documented by a papal bull from Lucius II in 1184.
The location is much older; from the Roman era, a milestone from the 1st century A.D. remains as evidence, concerning the route of the military road Claudia Augusta Altinate.
The area is on the central edge of the Belluno Dolomites National Park.
This steep southern slope of the grand complex of Mount Palmar / Tre Piere (Three Stones) (m.1965) does not offer any other hiking routes. Only a wide circuit around Palmar (m.1484) exists with a path (Corrado De Bastiani Trail) that is very steep and treacherous, which crosses, with difficulty, to the Bosc dei Boi hut (m.1500) and then descends, with several challenging and rough sections, to the chapel of Saint Agapitus. There is a risk of landslides and falling rocks.
Only for very experienced hikers.
