CHURCH OF SAINT CRISTINA

(within walking distance)

In the evocative and ancient rural Borough of Gorgo, which toponym is of roman origins, when the territory was crossed by a branch of river Tagliamento that has now disappeared, there is an ancient building which dates back to 1329 and is dedicated to Saint Cristina. This building, indicated as a proper “church”, has actually never been consecrated. Already in 1664, the priest should ask some temporary authorizations to the Bishop to celebrate the mass during the feasts. In the inside, there is a fresco with Saint Sebastian and Saint Valentine dating back to the XVI century. In the first years of the twentieth century, the building became property of the family Toniatti and from that moment on it was used for peculiar propitiatory rites between sacred and profane. The building is made of a rectangular room with five trusses. Near the facade, there is a small square-shaped campanile. A silent wood rich in centenary lindens, olms and plane trees, probably from the first years of the 1900, surrounds the structure: in winter, you can admire all their majesty and beauty. In 2007, the Church of Saint Cristina was restored back to its ancient splendour: today it is used for cultural events like concerts, conferences and courses during the summer season.

Chiesa di Santa Cristina
Visiting hours: from May to September on the first Sunday of the month from 2.30 to 7.00 pm
On request opening of the church and / or guided tours (also on other days or periods of the year)

IL CORTINO DI FRATTA

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

In the border between Friuli and eastern Veneto, you can find the Literary Park dedicated to Ippolito Nievo. In this area, several villages of historical and environmental interest are to be found, and a lot of them were mentioned in the famous novel Confessions of an Italian, written by Ippolito Nievo in the middle of the nineteenth century and published posthumously in 1867. In the novel, Carlo Altoviti tells his memories, his passions, and the experiences of the generation of the Risorgimento. However, the main subject of the novel is the love between the protagonist and Pisana, a fascinating and impulsive woman. The events are set in a very important period for the history of Italy: from the Napoleonic invasions to the first independence wars, in a context which stretches from Friuli and Venice to London. In the novel, existential conflicts mingle with political events and delineate an era characterized by the decline of the ancient society and the beginning of the modern united state. The proposed itinerary travels through the places named by Ippolito Nievo in the novel. The most important pages that describe the lands of Friuli are to be found in the first part of the novel, which is dedicated to the reminiscence of childhood. We can date this narrative back to the last decades of the XVIII century. Right in Fratta, you can find the Castle in which Carlo Altoviti, protagonist of the Confessions of an Italian by Ippolito Nievo, spent his childhood and youth. The fortified structure is believed to date back to 1186. Today, the only survived building of the entire castle is the rural structure named ‘Cortino’, which has become an exposition area and the seat of the Museum dedicated to Ippolito Nievo. The Cortino is set in an environmental context of great variety: tree species, which are typical to the vegetation of the land, an orchard and several rose gardens are a perfect excuse for the lovers of history and nature to visit this place.

Cortino of the Castle of Fratta
Visiting hours: Tuesday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm / Thursday 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm / Sunday 2:30 pm - 7:00 pm

OAK TREE OF VILLANOVA

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

Near the little church of Saint Antonio in Villanova there is the historical oak tree Farnia, which was declared natural monument of national interest thanks to its 500 years (estimated). The oak tree distinguishes itself for its unique empty trunk, where travellers and pilgrims are believed to have taken shelter.

VILLA MOCENIGO

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

Not far from Fratta, in the municipality of San Michele al Tagliamento, there is Villa Mocenigo-Ivancich. The Villa is immersed in the extraordinary vegetation of an ancient park. The structure was built towards the end of the XVI century by will of the Mocenigo, noble Venetian family. Alvisopoli, e.g. “the city of Alvise”, is named after the ambitious and utopic project of Alvise Mocenigo and develops itself around the Villa, built by the branch of the Mocenigo of Saint Samuel, the so-called Canal Grande or Casa Nuova, one of the most influent and richest lineage of Venice at the end of the 1700. In 1790, Alvise Mocenigo rented the assets of Portogruaro from his father, which was then in Friuli. Here, the nobleman Alvise Mocenigo started dreaming his Ideal City, that means, a residential area that could cater for each and every production and residential, social and economic need of its inhabitants with innovative techniques and the ideas of the Enlightenment current. He managed to found his new city, but it was never completed. Today, little remains of that dream, but the borough and the WWF Oasis in the wood of Alvisopoli are worth a visit. Over the years, the Villa was first bought by Vincenzo Biaggini and then by its current owners, the Ivancich, who made it an important cultural centre during the last century. Just to name a few, it hosted famous writers like Ezra Pound and Ernest Hemingway. During World War I, the building was turned into a hospital, while during World War II it was sadly subject to major damages caused by the bombings. Despite the damages, the colonnade is still witness of an ambitious structure, thought to surround the villa. It differentiate itself from the classical Venetian colonnades because it is not located next to the main building, but together they build an ideal connection. A visit to the city of Alvise allows you to understand the charm of the Venetian nobility in the hinterland of Veneto.

Alvisopoli:
Wood of Alvisopoli
Visiting hours: May to September Sunday 2.30 - 7.00pm
On request guided tours (also on other days or periods of the year)

PORTOGRUARO

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

A few kilometres away from Ca' delle Rose you can visit the beautiful small town of Portogruaro, a small romantic Venice which offers views similar to those of the Serenissima in every corner. The port on river Lèmene made the city an important stopover in the trades between Venice and Austria, so that it enriched and gained a vast political autonomy. In 1420 it became part of the Republic of Venice, which annexed also the area of Friuli after its policy of expansion in the hinterland. For three centuries, the city remained under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Venice and benefited of economical privileges thanks to its geographical position and its prosperity, which can be recognized still today in the architecture from the XV and XVI centuries. In 1797, with the Treaty of Campo Formio, Napoleon transferred the territory of the former Venetian Republic, included Portogruaro, to Austria. The Austrian domination lasted until 1866, except for a short republican regime in the year 1848 during the European Restoration. In 1866, Portogruaro eventually became part of the Reign of Italy, with which it shared its historic events. Crossed by the river Lemene, Portogruaro has maintained the typical medieval structure, and its several Italian buildings are a precious proof the Gothic and Renaissance era of the city. Every Thursday morning this lively small town is animated by the weekly market, which stretches along the two main streets: Corso Martiri della Libertà and Via Seminario. The Palazzo Municipale in Piazza della Repubblica, the Mills of Saint Andrea on the Lemene, the Oratory of the Madonna della Pescheria and the several religious buildings that host true masterpieces, like the ancient Dom with its pending tower, are definitely worth a visit. For the lovers of history and archaeology, you cannot miss the Museo Nazionale Concordiese where you can discover Roman remains coming from the nearby town of Concordia Sagittaria.

Terra dei Dogi in Festa - First weekend of May

For those who would like to live and taste the typical atmospheres of our territory, the enogastronomic festival Terre dei Dogi is the perfect occasion. The festival takes place in Portogruaro during the first weekend of May. The historic centre hosts local wine bars and enogastronomic stands to taste the typical excellences of Eastern Veneto. Everything is accompanied by shows and cultural initiatives.

Musical summer

For those of you who stay at our Bed & Breakfast during the summer season, the Musical Summer in Portograuro is definitely not to be missed. During Wednesday nights in July, the historic centre enlivens. In the most characteristic corners of the city, live music for all tastes, shops open until late and a magical atmosphere complement the event in an exceptional context.

CONCORDIA SAGITTARIA

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

In 42 BC, Concordia became military roman colony with the name of Julia Concordia and was an important centre in the crossing between Via Annia and Via Postumia. Of the ancient roman city, Concordia Sagittaria preserves sections of the walls and traces of the big urban structures: the forum, the theatre, the thermae and part of a bridge with three arches, part of the Via Annia. After the exodus of the Venetians due to the barbaric invasions, the settlement was moved to Caorle and Concordia was downgraded to simple fortress with the appellative of “Sagittaria”, thanks to a factory of arrows, the sagittae. Only around 1000, the Venetian city returned to live as a feud and diocesan seat dependent on the Patriarch of Aquileia; in fact, the rests of the early Christian complex are the most ancient proofs of the Christian faith in Veneto. Concordia Sagittaria offers extraordinary traces of history and art between the IV and XI centuries: the sepulchres, the Basilica Apostolorum, rich in mosaics, the Trichora Martyrum, where the relics of the Saints are preserved, and the Baptistery, beautifully decorated with frescos. Linked to Portogruaro by a comfortable cycle path, Concordia Sagittaria is an enchanting small town crossed by the river Lemene and holds major historic proofs from the imperial age of the whole area. Concordia Sagittaria preserves important Roman remains like the thermal baths and the amphitheatre among others. All of them are visible in the Civic Museum. You cannot miss a visit to the nearby Cathedral of Saint Stephan, Roman house on which first the Basilica Apostolorum Magnum (IV century) and then the Dom (XV) were built. Next to the Cathedral, you can find the Roman Campanile (XII) and the baptistery on the right (IX). Every Monday morning, Concordia Sagittaria is animated by the weekly market, which stretches all over the city and accompanies the visitors along the river Lemene.

VILLA MANIN, PASSARIANO di CODROIPO

As from the end of the XVII century, the Manin family decided to concentrate its purchases of terrains in a specific area of the land in Friuli, which was junction of the trades between the commercial area of the Adriatic and the ways from the valley of Tagliamento to central Europe. In this era, the Serenissima started to lose its central role in the trades among Europe, the Aegean Sea and the Middle East. The Villa became an emblem of the power of the family, and even overcame in majesty the several villas that the Venetian patricians used to build in the hinterland. The model for the Manin family was even Versailles, the most magnificent dwelling of the continent: as a proof, the project of the big northern garden was entrusted to a French scholar of André Le Nôtre (whose name is yet unknown), who was the architect of the wonders of the Sun King. On the other hand, it was instead the famous architect Domenico Rossi who planned the current building in the first decades of the eighteenth century, plus the most important interventions, like the Piazza Quadra, surrounded by the colonnade, and the Piazza Tonda, which reminds of the colonnade of the Bernini in San Pietro, Rome. In 1789, Lodovico IV Manin became first Procurator of Saint Marc and, consequently, Doge, but these are the years of the decline for the Serenissima. The Campaign of Italy was won by the French General Napoleon Bonaparte, who put an end to this secular page of history and lived in the villa for some months with Giuseppina Beauharnais, so to finish the negotiations with the Austrian and sign the Treaty of Campio Formio on October, 17 1797. Today Villa Manin is open to the public and seat of art exhibitions, concerts, conferences and cultural events.

SPILIMBERGO

A stone's throw from the big cities and the sea stands Spilimbergo, one of the most beautiful and interesting art cities of the high Friulian plain, located on the bank of the Tagliamento river. A village of ancient origins, it had great splendor in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance. The urban center, in fact, preserves the original medieval structure and a continuous restoration work has allowed to enhance the works of the many artists who have succeeded over the centuries. To testify, the Duomo with the frescoes of the '300, the Castle with its Palazzo Dipinto, the Palazzo degli Spilimbergo di Sopra and the historic center. Known throughout the world for its decorative mosaics, it is home to the prestigious Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli, a unique institution in the world founded in 1922. Today he teaches the application of Roman, Byzantine and modern mosaic techniques as well as researching and experimenting aesthetic and functional solutions applied to the contemporary world http://scuolamosaicistifriuli.it/en The soul of Spilimbergo has always been commerce; the beating heart was Piazza Duomo, the center of administrative and economic activities. Here the merchants who came from the neighboring towns held the Tagliaco ford (where to see the Church of the Encon, once a destination for pilgrimages). In this beautiful square the negotiations took place, checks were carried out on the goods and the gabelles were paid. The thirteenth-century Palazzo del Daziario, the seat of the magistrates, and the Palazzo della Loggia (XIV century), where the goods were stored and inspected, bear witness to this. On a column of the portico is still engraved Macia, the ancient unit of measure of length, which was used to check the regularity of the trades. As a consequence of commercial development, in the '300 the small town grew dramatically, so that were erected three successive walls. The Oriental Tower (1304) was part of the first circle. Among the palaces you can admire the Painted House, frescoed in the sixteenth century with scenes from the life of Hercules. After passing the tower, the Borgo di Mezzo and the Borgo Nuovo open, cut in half by Corso Roma, the main axis of the historic city. Of the new city walls that protected these towns, the Western Tower still remains. Along this route the wealthy families built their palaces between the 16th and 18th centuries, in particular the Palazzo Monaco (16th century). At the edge of the main villages, the populated village of Valbruna, with Palazzo Spilimbergo di Sopra, and Broiluccio (now Piazza Borgolucido), with its characteristic buildings, once open space for meetings of the People's Assembly. Of particular historical and artistic interest the church of San Giuseppe and Pantaleone (called dei Frati, XIV century) where is preserved the precious wooden choir made in 1475 by the Vicenza carver Marco Cozzi and the Church of San Giovanni (XIV sec.), seat of the Battuti confraternity.

MILLS OF BOLDARA

(reachable by bike)

A few kilometres away from Fratta, near Gruaro, you will find the Mills of Stalis. Here there are two mills located along river Lemene. The most ancient mill is mentioned in documents of the 1432, while the other dates back to the end of the XIX century. In the fifteenth century, the millstone, the saw for the wood and the pestles for the fibre of linen where all functioning. From the eighteenth century, the spinning of wool and the husking of barley were added to the existing activities. The mills functioned until the end of the '70s. Recently, one millstone was put back in function and now the mills are seat of an exhibition of machinery from the '20s. The land in which they are immersed is particularly evocative, thanks to the close fields and the crystal clear watercourses. This is an ancient and suggestive place, on the border between Veneto and Friuli, where fields, hedges and trees make it important not only for its history but also for its nature. Nearby there is the Fountain of Venchiaredo, a water source which was mentioned by Ippolito Nievo in his novel Confessions of an Italian and re-discovered by the poet and writer Pierpaolo Pasolini.

MILL OF BOLDARA

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

The Mill of Boldara is located in the middle of a swamp, which extended between Boldara and Cintello on the waters of river Lemene. Operative until the '60s, the building is now abandoned but it is located in an area of great interest, which is worth a walk or a ride. Between the river Lemene and the watercourse Battiferro, the area was reclaimed by volunteers, who have populated the land with local trees and the waters with seaweeds and water plants.

SESTO AL REGHENA

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

The origins of Sesto are to be found in the pre-Roman era, as the numerous archaeological rests testify. The toponym itself has something Roman: Sesto was in fact a "statio", that is a military point placed at the sixth milestone on the way which linked Concordia to the North. Sesto developed significantly with the Lombardic dominance, but was then devastated by the Hungarians. In the Middle Age, it had a period of great splendour thanks to the annexation of the Abbey and its territories to the feud of the Patriarchate of Aquileia, until Venice invaded Friuli in 1418. Small town of Roman origins, its name is derived from the river Reghena and from its position, which corresponds to the sixth milestone along the way of the travellers who were heading north. Sesto al Reghena hosts a Benedictine Abbey of Lombardic establishment, which is dedicated to Santa Maria in Sylvis and dates back to the first half of the VII century. The complex is made of an access tower, the only one that survived out of seven, a campanile, the ancient chancellery, the residence of the abbots and the church, which is still equipped with a vestibule and an atrium. The interiors are decorated with fresco paintings, probably from the school of Giotto. In the territory, there are several little churches, the most important of which is the Church of Saint Peter – from the Middle Age, probably around the XI – XIII century. In the small town of Marignana we can find the Church of Saint Urban, which dates back to the 1600, but was restored in 1936-37; inside there is the altarpiece with the homonymous Saint painted by A. Pascotto (1893). In Braidacurti you can admire the Oratory of Saint Chiara from the eighteenth century, which was restored several times and which hosts the wood altar and the altarpiece with the Virgin Mary and Baby Jesus, Saint Francis and Saint Margherita of Alacoque, now moved to the Room of Consultations in the Abbey.

ANCIENT BOROUGH OF CORDOVADO

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

Majestic and impressive, Cordovado is counted among the most Beautiful Villages of Italy. Its walls are still intact and surround buildings that date back to the XIII and XIV century. The Medieval Castle of Cordovado was built upon the rests of a Roman castrum, which was placed along the Via Augusta on a branch of the river Tagliamento, now disappeared, at the border with the Patriarchate of Concordia of which it was feud. The bishops of Concordia governed it by means of a guastaldo, position of the Ridolfi Family, which lived it, kept it, defended it and administered it. In the middle of the XVI century, the Castle became property of the Counts of Attimis, and then in the 1800, the property passed over to the Family of the Counts Freschi di Cucanea. The current fortified area is the result of restorations and stratifications made over the centuries, the most significant of which took place between 1600 and 1800. The external ring of walls with embankment and moat, and two towers are still visible today. Among the others, the Palace Piccolomini-Freschi is definitely to mention. It dates back to the end of the 16th century and a beautiful park from the 19th century surrounds it. To continue the list, the Palace Agricola and the small medieval church, recently restored, are not to be missed. The villa is still inhabited by the owners, and preserves the charm of the ancient furnishings, with the precious library and the music room with frescos. Inside the walls, you can find the little medieval houses of farmers and artisans and other annexes, which were restored but still preserve all their charm and magic. The Castle of Cordovado can be visited during the event “Open Castles” (“Castelli Aperti”) and “Omaggio alle Rose” other events dedicated to roses during May; the ‘Labyrinth of Rosa damascena’ and the Collection of Heritage Roses surely deserve to be seen!

Ancient Duomo of Sant’Andrea

(within walking distance or reachable by bike)

The ancient building of Sant’Andrea was built after the terrible plague of the 1454; the marking on the portal, 1477, probably testifies the date of end of the works, but the Duomo could have been rebuilt on the rests of the church mentioned in 1186 from Pope Urban III. Some academics think that the ancient church was founded during the IV-V century. This religious building is devoted to Saint Andrew Apostle, fisherman, and this dedication is important for the place, which is believed to have been near the river Tagliamento Maius. Originally, the temple had a single room, with a square-shaped presbytery; it was only towards the end of the XVI century that the two aisle were added. Wide arches divide the inside and there is a wood coverage supported by trusses. On the portal, the fresco in the lunette represents the Virgin Mary with Baby Jesus seated on a throne from the 1400, probably by Bellunello. On the first pillar on the right, there is a fresco of the Holy Trinity, attributable to an anonymous painter of the XVI century. On the eastern wall of the southern aisle, you can find the fresco of Saint Martin on a horse, dating back to the XVI century, the painter of which is unknown. On the floor, there are eight graves of aristocrats.

ITINERARIES ON TWO WHEELS

For the lovers of bike rides and walks in the middle of nature, our area is an ideal spot. Thanks to the several cycle paths and the wide green areas, you will only have to choose the itinerary to discover some of the jewels we have mentioned. We will be glad to advise you and choose together the path that satisfies your needs the most.

Protagonist is the water, which flows from the land with several karst springs. You can discover significant landscapes and the many rivers of the territory on two wheels, like the Lèmene, the Reghena, the Caomaggiore, the Loncon, the Versiola, the Venchiaredo, the San Giacomo and many other streams. Each and one of them flows into the Laguna of Caorle. The four main cities of this itinerary, Portogruaro, Concordia, Sesto al Reghena and Cordovado are definitely worth a visit: they are very suggestive, important from an historic point of view and offer beautiful scenarios.

From Piazza Municipio in Portogruaro, you cannot miss a visit to the river Lèmene with two ancient mills, the precious facade of the town hall, the calli and the little bridges, the ancient buildings and their enclosed gardens. Along the cycle path that runs near the Lèmene, you can reach Concordia Sagittaria, where the archaeological digs of the ancient Cathedral, on the foundations of the ‘House of the centurion’ now chapel "Trichora Martyrium", are a must. The legend tells that the house was that of the centurion who pierced Jesus Christ crucified, and where Saint Marc went to have news and maybe write his Gospel. From Concordia you can reach Summaga and its Benedictine Abbey. Right beyond the church, you can turn to a road that brings you to the small town of Sega on the way Portogruaro-Cinto. Towards left, you can reach Cinto Caomaggiore, while if you turn right, right before the bridge (traces of a mill) on the river Reghena, you can take a long unpaved road with beautiful views on the land. On the way Cinto-Sesto, you can reach (on the left) Cinto Caomaggiore and, if open – upon appointment or for some events -, the Oasis of the Lakes of Cinto are worth a visit. To the right you can reach Sesto al Reghena. Here you can make a short deviation to the lake Premarine of Sesto (private, sport fishing), then reach the 'Prati di Burovich' and the historic centre of Sesto al Reghena. Beautiful fortified small town, you can enter it from the amazing frescoed tower-door and the magnificent square with gardens and the important Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis. We recommend visiting its frescos from the School of Giotto. You can then proceed to Bagnarola towards Cordovado through Borgo Siega (ancient hydraulic wheels of a Venetian saw) and make a short deviation to the Mills of Stalis in Gruaro. Now it is time for the fortified small town of Cordovado, with its beautiful scenarios loved by photographs. The nearby roman Duomo of Saint Andrew is worth a visit. You can then ride towards Gruaro and Bagnara, turn left and reach the oasis of Boldara, where there is an interesting naturalistic area with equipped routes. Beautiful are the waters of the Lemene and the majestic ancient Mill of Boldara, now completely abandoned. Through an internal road or the shorter main road, you will arrive to Portovecchio, where you can find a Natural Park with the Villa Bombarda Furlanis, private dwelling. Portogruaro, final destination of our tour, is now close and along the right bank of the river Lemene, you will arrive near to the train station where you can take the underpass to go back to the historic centre.

“Giralemene” cycle path 32 kilometres of paths that link the municipalities of Gruaro, Portogruaro, Concordia Sagittaria and Caorle.

Route Giralemene1 from the Mills to Concordia: it starts from the Municipality of Gruaro, precisely from the Mills of Stalis. From here you can take the internal way which brings to Portovecchio, near Portogruaro. Then you can move to the heart of the city Portogruaro, proceed towards Piazza Dogana and on the embankment Lemene, which brings you to Concordia Sagittaria. *Practical advice: there are several paths exposed to sun, so we recommend moving in the cooler hours of the day, especially during summer.

FOR THE LOVERS OF THE SEASIDE

Ca' delle Rose is surrounded by several seaside resorts, the nearest of which are Bibione, Lignano and Caorle. All of them can be reached in just 30 minutes by car. Characterised by wide beaches and crystal clear waters, each and one of them offers several attractions. Caorle is a Venice in miniature, characterised by a small cosy and vivid historic centre. Bibione is the ideal destination for the lovers of sport and nature, thanks to its wide beach and the long cycle path, which runs along the village. Lignano distinguishes itself for its big town centre, full of shops, boutiques and venues, for the Golf club and its pinewood. For those of you who are willing to move a little bit further, Grado is close to Gorizia and even closer to Aquileia, or you can visit Barcola and Sistiana if you would like to discover the coast near Trieste.