Venzone: The Medieval Village Rebuilt Stone by Stone

Venzone was declared a National Monument in 1965 as the only fully fortified 14th-century town in all of Friuli. When it was almost entirely destroyed by the 1976 earthquake, it was painstakingly rebuilt stone by stone, faithfully restoring its original appearance with the help of extensive photographic documentation.

In the main square stands the Town Hall, a fine example of Venetian Gothic architecture built between 1390 and 1410. Its wide arcade, corner clock tower and the Lion of St. Mark overlooking the façade are enduring reminders of Venice's presence here.

The Cathedral of St. Andrew—also rebuilt from the rubble using its original stones—preserves 14th-century frescoes and a story that alone is worth the trip. In 1647, nearly forty naturally mummified bodies were discovered near the cathedral, including the oldest, known as Il Gobbo ("The Hunchback"). They were not preserved by human intervention, but by a rare fungus found in the burial chambers, which gave their skin a parchment-like appearance. The mummies became so famous that even Napoleon is said to have come to see them.

Opposite the cathedral stands the Church of St. John the Baptist. Destroyed by the 1976 earthquake, it was deliberately left in ruins as a permanent memorial to the tragedy that struck Friuli. The collapsed stones remain exactly where they fell. It is one of the most moving and contemplative places you can visit in the region.
Venzone is a natural stop along the Timber Route, on the road that descends from Carnia towards the plains along the Tagliamento River, just a few kilometres from the Albergo Diffuso Tolmezzo.

This is an independent editorial feature.