Poffabro: the pearl of wood and stone in Friuli

From the rugged and vital Friulian karst landscape emerges the beautiful village of Poffabro. Located at 510 meters above sea level, this ancient settlement is a jewel set in the rock and wood of its characteristic houses. Despite its mere 600 inhabitants, the Friulian village creates a harmonious dialogue between nature and a lifestyle detached from urban frenzy, leaving visitors with a deep sense of freedom.

InItaly has visited Poffabro for you, presenting all its hidden and unique features. Enjoy your journey!

Poffabro: perched on the heights

The Friulian village is especially known for its numerous climbing and trekking routes. Many tourists and enthusiasts have praised the geographical and physical structure of the territory surrounding Poffabro.

One recommended route is about 11.5 km long, taking on average five and a half hours to complete. Experts and amateurs alike describe it as a very difficult trail, suitable only for true lovers of the sport, with an elevation gain and loss of 1,319 meters and a maximum altitude of 1,600 meters—almost touching the sky! The route begins at the Raclì pass and ends in the heart of Poffabro, with possible intermediate stops such as Casasola.

All of this unfolds in a paradisiacal setting: green pines and firs dominating the valley, and the karstic majesty of the mountains protecting the village.

The village of stone and wood

The extraordinary attraction of the Friulian village is undoubtedly its architecture. Although it cannot be considered “urban planning” in the modern sense, this small hamlet of the municipality of Frisanco fully reflects its rural and 14th-century origins.

Built entirely and rigorously in stone, the houses line up to form narrow passages that open onto courtyards. The homes, almost like a nativity scene, are clustered together with sturdy wooden roofs (another hallmark of the village) and rise along the sloping terrain.

Despite this steep layout, the overall impression is far from claustrophobic; rather, it suggests a sinuous flow within the mountain, revealing glimpses of lived history. It is not uncommon to find multi-story houses, adorned with flowers and charming plants.

For this extraordinary building skill, the village is also known as the “enchanted village”, thanks to its ability to harmonize bare stone with the vital force of wood. Here one experiences the strength of simple living. Worth noting are the central Church of San Nicolò and the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute.

The nativity village

Nestled in Val Colvera, the village has been hosting for nearly 30 years the exhibition “Poffabro, the nativity among nativities.” The Friulian hamlet is twinned with Greccio, the town in Lazio where, according to tradition, Saint Francis created the first nativity scene in history.

In a setting that we have rightly described as “nativity-like,” hundreds of cribs are displayed throughout the village from early December until January 7, 2024. The dominant feature is creativity: sweet nativity scenes made of sugar and chocolate, hand-embroidered cribs, traditional ones in ceramic or papier-mâché, and even wooden ones.

An interesting feature is the diversity of the figures. The characters represent every nationality, making the Friulian village a messenger of universal fraternity. Thus, we find figures with European, African, Asian, and Oriental features, in the awareness that Jesus was born for all. Although they are statues, many are placed in the village’s green spaces, decorated to transform Poffabro into a little Bethlehem.

Contacts for more details

• Pro Loco ProValColvera APS Phone: +39 379-2835229 Email: [email protected]
• Municipality of Frisanco Phone: +39 0434-78061

How to reach the Friulian village

You can reach the village by plane, arriving at Friuli Venezia Giulia Airport, then continuing along the A28 motorway, exit Cimpiello, and following signs for Frisanco and Poffabro.

Alternatively, you can arrive in Pordenone by train, then take the Sacile–Pinzano line, which has a direct stop at the village.

Photo credit: Friuli Venezia Giulia