Stella River Mouth Nature Reserve: where freshwater embraces the Adriatic Sea

When the Stella River reaches the sea after its journey across the Friulian plains, it doesn't immediately surrender to the salty waves. First, it indulges in a slow dance among reeds, salt marshes, and islets, creating one of the richest wetlands in Northern Italy. The Stella River Mouth Nature Reserve (Riserva Naturale Foci dello Stella) is a labyrinth of water where every channel tells stories of fishermen, migratory birds, and traditions that endure over time.

Navigating these channels is like entering a parallel world. Traditional boats glide silently through waters that change color at every bend: from the turbid brown of the river to the bottle green of the lagoons, right up to the deep blue of the open sea. The salty scent mixes with that of the marsh grasses, creating an olfactory cocktail that smells of freedom and marine adventure.

The wooden casoni (fishing huts) dot this aquatic landscape like sentinels of a bygone era. These fishermen's huts, built on stilts with techniques handed down for generations, seem to float on the water during high tide. Some are still inhabited by local fishermen, while others have become romantic retreats where you can spend nights lulled by the gentle movement of the tides. Seeing them reflected in the water at sunset is pure visual poetry.

Wildlife reigns supreme here. Pink flamingos move in ordered formations like dancers in an aquatic ballet troupe, while grey herons wait motionless for the right moment for the decisive strike. Little egrets dance elegantly in the shallows, and during seasonal migrations, the sky fills with incredible flocks that draw perfect geometries against the azure horizon.

The silence here has a particular density, broken only by the gentle lapping of the water against the boats, the distant cry of the seagulls, and the discreet rustle of the reeds swaying in the sea breeze. It's a place that automatically slows down the frantic rhythms of modern life, where even the most stressed citizen finds inner peace.

Boat excursions allow you to explore otherwise inaccessible channels, while walking paths along the banks offer privileged observation points of the wildlife. Nature photographers find endless subjects here: from the golden reflections of the sunset on the casoni to close-ups of birds that do not fear human presence.

The reserve is easily reachable from Lignano Sabbiadoro or Marano Lagunare, where guided boat excursions depart. The visitor centers provide binoculars and information on the tidal cycles that greatly influence the visibility of the fauna. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for migrations, but summer also offers unforgettable ornithological spectacles. Bring a hat and sunscreen: the reflection of the water here amplifies sun exposure, but the sea breeze makes everything more bearable.

Photo credits: Rudy.Bidoggia - available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license