Even though the civic and religious organization of the area must be placed earlier, the inhabited territory evolved in the 13th century following the colonization of ethnic German populations (the so-called Cimbri).

On February 5, 1287, the Cimbrian Olderico da Altissimo signed a contract with Verona's bishop, Bartolomeo della Scala, to become steward of the area.

There is little information on the medieval period, and it largely pertains to the church of San Nicola and the districts of Molino and Costa; there is no evidence of castles.

Altissimo became a municipality of the Lombardo-Veneto Kingdom after the Napoleonic period, located in the Arzignano district of the province of Vicenza, a condition that has largely been preserved to the current day.

The town was traversed by retreating German forces in the days following the conflict's end: some were confronted and disarmed, while others ransacked houses and kidnapped hostages.