Experiences | Casa Valcellina

Montereale Valcellina

The municipality of Montereale Valcellina is referred to as the 'gateway to Valcellina' because it’s where the Pordenone plain ends and the Cellina Gorge Nature Reserve begins. It rises up from an alluvial terrace between the Cellina Torrent, Mount Spia, Mount Castelo and Mount Fara and is one of the most important locations of historical and archaeological interest in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The villages that make up the municipality of Montereale Valcellina, such as Grizzo, Malnisio and San Leonardo are rich in curiosities, and you’ll find plenty of history around every corner. Their well-preserved elements of traditional architecture will leave you speechless.

Maniago

Maniago is known as the 'city of knives' thanks to the numerous craft knife shops that have been established there since medieval times. The town is famous throughout the world for the production of knives and all kinds of cutting tools. It has around 12,000 inhabitants and is characterised by its imposing Piazza Italia, the pulsating heart of the community, onto which face the main historical buildings. It’s where the 15th-century Cathedral in late Friulian Gothic style dedicated to San Mauro Martire and the Palazzo D'Attimis Maniago are located, on whose walls is a fresco of the Marciano lion, which has been attributed to Pomponio Amalteo and stands as evidence of the long Venetian rule.

Conveniently located between Pordenone and Udine and easily accessible from Treviso, Venice and Trieste, Maniago has attracted an increasing number of tourists in recent years thanks to the numerous events and places of interest in the area, such as the Museum of Metal working Art and Cutlery, the Lis Aganis EcoMuseum, the Magredi Nature Reserve and events such as Coltello in Festa (The Celebration of Knives) and the Maniago Carnival.

Barcis Lake

The artificial lake of Barcis is located in the heart of Valcellina, which is just a stone’s throw from the Cellina Gorge Nature Reserve and the Prescudin Forest. Its world of entertainment possibilities on offer makes it the ideal place to spend one or more days with family or friends.

Many sports can be practised on Lake Barcis, including sailing, scuba diving, motor boating, hovercraft, kayaking, canoeing and surfing. It also offers a vast choice of excursions in the surrounding nature, cycling routes for mountain bikers, and is the ideal place for fishing or relaxing and sunbathing.

Whether it be spring or autumn, there are plenty of things to do at Lake Barcis. In both the colder and warmer months, you’ll enjoy breathtaking colours and trails to be hiked all year round. Among the absolute musts, we recommend the Dint path. It’s a little over 4 kilometres long, not demanding and suitable for everyone. It takes about two hours with 130 metres of elevation gain, but with a minimum of effort you’ll be able to admire amazing views of the surroundings. Of course, this lake also has a path which wraps around it called the 'Sentiero degli Alpini' (Alpine Path), a flat path just over 7 kilometres long.

Among the many must-sees is the old Valcellina road, a charming path through the Cellina Gorge Nature Reserve, and which was once the valley's only link to the plain. It’s closed in winter, but reopens with the flora and fauna in spring. You’ll be fascinated by the deep canyons carved into the rock. You’ll have the opportunity to walk across a Tibetan bridge, and the colour of the water will leave you speechless–a deep blue that almost looks fake. The road is about 10 km and can be travelled by bike, on foot or with a small train.

Pordenone Golf Club

Against the splendid backdrop of the Alpine landscape and settled at the foot of the Piancavallo tourist resort lies Golf Pordenone in Castel d'Aviano (PN), a place whose 18-hole course within the historic Villa Policreti park is a love letter to the game itself.

Golfers will have a course that stretches 5,980 metres in length enriched by 3 stretches of water, small woods and green hills at their disposal, which will all make for a relaxing and enjoyable playing experience amidst a variety of terrains that wind from tee to green with various elevation differences and obstacles which will test your game while making it fun and competitive.

Piancavallo

Piancavallo, a hamlet in the municipality of Aviano, is an ideal destination for lovers of sport and outdoor activities. This large and sunny plateau to the north of Pordenone offers unforgettable holidays thanks to modern ski facilities for downhill and cross-country skiing, climbing walls, trekking and mountain biking routes, an ice rink, regulation football pitches, tennis courts, a bowling green, miniature golf and brand new sports centre.

This well-known ski resort is popular with families and sport enthusiasts of all ages. Established in the 1960s, it developed rapidly thanks to its proximity to the plains, convenience of access routes and the beauty of the environment, which boasts vegetation usually found at higher altitudes due to the special climate. Even those who aren’t ski lovers will find space to practice other sports such as ice skating, freestyle, orienteering and snowboarding.

In winter, Piancavallo has something for everyone with its 17 kilometres of slopes for downhill, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. And for the little ones, there’s an honest-to-goodness snow park: Nevelandia. The area covers about 25,000 square metres and is equipped with three moving walkways, and areas for skiing, sledging and bobsleighing. There’s also a fenced-off part with soft foam sledges reserved for the youngest children.

In summer, you can choose between relaxing walks or challenging mountain climbing, or other activities such as horse riding, cycling, mountain biking, tennis, hang gliding and paragliding.

Ponte Tibetano (Tibetan Bridge)

The Tibetan Bridge is located in the heart of the Friulian Dolomites and offers a spectacular view of the gorge and the emerald waters of the stream. Inaugurated in 2016 and built entirely of steel, it dominates the Cellina Gorge with a path that allows you to cross the gorge and enjoy a unique view of the surrounding environment and the canyon below. Its richness in charm makes it one of the most beautiful and spectacular Nature Reserves in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Imagine a truly singular experience suspended at a height of 55 metres that allows for a 360° view of the surrounding environment dotted with crystal-clear waters and deep canyons carved into the rocks.

The bridge is located inside the gorge of the Cellina stream and flows out toward the sea following the path of the old Valcellina road (Vecchia Strada della Valcellina). Visitors who wish to cross it are provided with appropriate equipment (harness, helmet and hooks) and the bridge is equipped with a handrail to facilitate crossing. Trained and competent personnel are always present.

La Val Colvera (The Colvera Valley)

The Val Colvera is located in the province of Pordenone just a few kilometres north of Maniago. It is a small but characteristic area of Friuli Venezia Giulia that transports anyone who visits it into a world of silence, green forests, clear waters, ancient stories and legends that tell of fairies and spirits. This valley is characterised by 15 very ancient hamlets. It’s dominated by the imposing peak of Mount Raut and crossed by the stream of the same name that has given rise to an evocative gorge called Bus del Còlvera. Its 15 villages are known for their typical spontaneous architecture and are centred around the main town Frisanco and the most well-known village, Poffabro.

The valley offers a near-intact natural environment characterised by the incredible contrasts between the rugged gorge of the Bus del Colvera, pleasant valley, woods and streams, and imposing Raut mountain range. Humans have harmoniously blended into all this thanks to a splendid rural architecture made up of solid stone houses with arches, porticoes and wooden balconies grouped together in rows or in small courtyards.

We recommend you go and discover the stone and wooden houses of Poffabro, named Italy’s Ideal Village and ranked among the ‘Most Beautiful Villages in Italy’. Don't miss a visit to Frisanco, the valley’s main town, which is just a two-minute drive from Poffabro and has some nice surprises waiting to be discovered.

Museo Archeologico di Montereale (Archaeological Museum of Montereale)

The 17th-century building complex of Palazzo Toffoli houses the Archaeological Museum of Montereale Valcellina. Archaeological materials are on display which were found during intense excavation and study activities conducted by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Archaeological Heritage Superintendency in the municipal territory during the last two decades of the 20th century.

Traces of dwellings, swords, weapons, large decorated vases and metal jewellery are just some of the exhibits that can be seen in the Halls. The Museum also offers guided tours and workshops for children and adults.

Parco del Dominu (Dominu Park)

The ‘Dominu’ municipal park of Montereale Valcellina is located at the foot of the Grizzo hill. It’s renowned for the discovery of the remains of a pre-Roman incineration necropolis characterised by about 20 burials arranged in three parallel rows.

The baked clay charnel houses found at the time of discovery still contained fragments of the deceased’s bones and accompanying symbolic objects such as fibulae, glass beads and amber for women, and weapons, axes or knives for men – all of which are on display in the Archaeological Museum.

Owned by the Cigolotti lords, the park occupies part of the ancient braida (farmland) and boasts walls protecting it with two towers, of which the Dominu tower is still visible. Over the past ten years, this site has hosted different types of cultural and recreational initiatives. To date, it’s been chosen as the location for 'situated didactics' as part of the ‘Lis Aganis’ Eco-museum of the Friulian Dolomites.

Chiesa di San Rocco (Church of St Rocco)

The Church of St Rocco can be defined as the first sacred art stop in the territory. In fact, Montereale Valcellina hosts no fewer than 12 religious buildings. It’s located just before the Ravedis narrows, and we are certain of its antiquity thanks to the adjacent presence of the cemetery, as was customary at the time.

At first it was dedicated to St Mary of the Assumption (or of Calaresio, the ancient name of Montereale), later to St Rocco. Archaeological investigations have revealed three phases of construction which have been highlighted: the first, early Christian (5th century) when it was dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin; the second, medieval, (12th century) of which the wall facings of the nave remain; the third, the Renaissance (early 1500s) which determined the current configuration of the building and the change in its dedication to St Rocco.

The church houses a choir decoration created between 1559 and 1563 by Giovanni Maria Zaffoni known as il Calderari. It’s been recognised as one of his most important works and a pictorial jewel in its own right.

Among the curiosities surrounding this building is the story that in 1584, several witnesses were heard in the ancient sacristy in the eventual defence or exoneration of Domenico Scandella known as Menocchio, the miller from Montereale sentenced to death for heresy by the Inquisition.

Forra del Cellina (Cellina Gorge)

Among the most interesting features of this place are the clear, transparent waters that flow through an incredible canyon formed by some of the most spectacular steep rocks in Italy. The Forra del Torrente Cellina Nature Reserve covers an area of around 304 hectares which allows for the protection of the naturalistic and panoramic aspects of one of the most beautiful valley scoring in the Alps.

The old Valcellina road is also another must-see. It’s a fascinating path and the only link between the valley and the plain, which has now become a destination for visitors from all over the world.

Hydroelectric Power Plant

Lovers of industrial architecture will be enchanted in front of the former 'Antonio Pitter' hydroelectric power plant, an unforgettable example of an early 20th-century industrial building set in the lush natural landscape of the Pordenone foothills.

Once inside, you’ll see turbines, alternators, machinery and perfectly preserved original artefacts which tell of the extraordinary technological adventure that transformed the Cellina stream into an energy source.