Most of the remains of the ancient city of Aquileia are intact and still unexcavated. This makes Aquileia the most complete example of an early Roman city in the Mediterranean region. The region’s history is also evident in later periods: the patriarchal basilica complex of Aquileia played a decisive role in the spread of Christianity to Central Europe in the early Middle Ages.
Historic cities and architecture
Palmanova combines a clearly recognizable urban layout with a complex history of fortifications. The Republic of Venice built the city in 1593. Its regular layout forms a nine-pointed star; three rings of fortifications date from the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries. Since 2017, Palmanova has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar.”
The layout can also be explored from different perspectives in the Bastion Park: one path leads into the moat and past a waterfall with a picnic area, while another follows the upper rampart walk. Both paths meet again at the Contromina Tunnel. The underground defensive system can be visited during its designated opening hours.
In Cividale del Friuli, important landmarks preserve the city’s Lombard past. Its archaeological heritage includes the Celtic Hypogeum: underground cavities carved into the rock are grouped around a central chamber, from which three low corridors branch off. The hypogeum’s original purpose remains unknown. Access is available only through the guided tour service organized by the Municipality of Cividale and the Regional College of Cave Guides and Cave Masters of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Check the current tour options before your visit.
The Grotta Gigante offers a different underground experience. It can be visited only on a guided tour; the route extends for over 850 metres and reaches a depth of 100 metres. Here, too, it is worth checking tour options in advance.
Experience nature on foot and by bike
The Friulian Dolomites Nature Park covers 36,950 hectares and is the larger of the two nature parks in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Nature walks and trekking routes follow a suitable network of trails. The many support facilities include mountain huts, accommodation and bivouacs. Hiking and longer trekking trips are therefore central activities in the park.
Salt marshes, wet woodlands and beaches shape the habitat of the Valle Cavanata Nature Reserve. Numerous bird species use the area to rest and breed; designated walking and cycling paths allow visitors to observe birds in their natural habitat. The reserve can be reached from Grado via scenic cycling routes. This makes it possible to combine birdwatching with a specific cycling connection from Grado.
For longer distances, the Alpe-Adria Cycle Route offers another option: it runs for over 400 kilometres from Salzburg to Grado. The Italian section begins in Tarvisio and partly follows disused railway lines. Travelling from north to south, the route crosses Friuli-Venezia Giulia through Alpine valleys, along the Fella and Tagliamento rivers, over moraine hills and across the Friulian plain, all the way to the lagoon and the Adriatic Sea. The cycling routes to Valle Cavanata and the long-distance route therefore differ considerably in their course and range. Check current route conditions before setting out.
Regional cuisine and cultural influences
The cuisine, too, tells the story of the region’s diverse influences. Habsburg and Slavic traditions are reflected in the areas around Trieste and Gorizia, shepherding culture in Carnia, and rural culture in Friuli. Regional signature dishes include frico, made with potatoes and cheese, and jota, a soup made with potatoes, beans and white cabbage. Those who want to discover regional differences not only through architecture and landscapes but also through traditional dishes will find another way to experience Friuli-Venezia Giulia here.
Discover more destinations: Gorizia, Pordenone, Trieste, Udine, Marche, Abruzzo, Sicily, Lombardy
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