S.DANIELE – GEMONA – VENZONE

SAN DANIELE DEL FRIULI is the town where this tour starts. It is located in the hilly area, north-west of Udine. It is best known for an exquisite delicacy: San Daniele's cured-ham, which owes its unmistakable taste to the typical climate of the area. San Daniele deserves, however, to be visited on more than merely gastronomic grounds. Noteworthy are its Guarneriana Library, rich in valuable incunabula and books, which are housed in a 16th century building, the former Town-Hall; the 18th century Duomo with its remarkable works of art, and, above all, the tiny church of S. Antonio Abate, dating back to 1450. The latter is a beautiful example of late Venetian-Gothic architecture enriched by Martino da Udine's works, possibly the most important series of Renaissance frescoes in Friuli. Finally, a look at the 18th century Monte di Pietà building. Next is OSOPPO. The town is dominated by a hill on which stands an imposing fortress preserving the reminders of the glorious and heroic Osovan resistance against the Austrians in 1848. It also served as a stronghold for the Resistance during World War II. The fortress offers a wonderful view of the Tagliamento river. Turning northward, beyond TRASAGHIS and the small panoramic CAVAZZO Lake, stands TOLMEZZO, the main town in Carnia. Not only is Tolmezzo an important trade and industrial center, it is also the starting point for many excursions in the Carnia valleys. Zuglio, which was called "Julium Carnicum" by the ancient Romans, is another beautiful town not far from here. It is worth visiting both for its gothic S. Pietro Church, and for the great view it offers.
Moving along the Tagliamento river are VENZONE and GEMONA, two towns which had been virtually swept away by the 1976 earthquake, but are now completely rebuilt. The seism had also ruined the magnificent Domes in both towns. The one in Venzone had been completely destroyed, whereas Gemona's Romanesque-Gothic dome was less severely damaged. Both have been restored and can now be visited. Venzone's old center, with the impressive 12th century walls and the 15th century Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall) always leave visitors fascinated. Gemona's Town Hall and the remains of other valuable monuments, like the churches of S. Giovanni and S. Maria delle Grazie, are also worth visiting.
South of Gemona is TARCENTO, a town blessed with an almost invariable, mild climate. This is where many walks in the hills begin, leading to Attimis (Fossils exhibition, Forame) and to the Alta Valle del Torre located at the foot of the Musi white peaks.