Sesto al Reghena, the historic artistic village of the North-East

Sesto was a Roman military station at the sixth mile of the road between Iulia Concordia and Noricum. The Reghena River, with a pre-Roman toponym, flows through the village. Around 735, three Lombard brothers founded the monastery of Santa Maria in Sylvis, confirmed by Charlemagne in 775. Between 889 and 925, the region suffered raids by the Hungarians. In 960, the abbey resumed activity with the recognition of Otto I, who in 967 ceded it to the Patriarch of Aquileia. Between 1300 and 1330, Paduan painters, pupils of Giotto, frescoed the abbey. From 1420, it came under the Venetian Republic; in 1441, the first commendatory abbot was Pietro Barbo. From 1503 to 1627, the abbots were from the Grimani family. In 1789, the abbey was suppressed; in 1867, the village assumed its current name, Sesto al Reghena.

What to see in Sesto al Reghena

The Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria di Sesto, founded in the first half of the 8th century by the Lombards, was once immersed in a vast forest (hence “in Sylvis”). Access is through the Renaissance Grimani Tower, and next to it stands the bell tower, derived from an 11th-century watchtower. The complex includes the ancient abbey chancery, seat of civil jurisdiction, and the residence of the abbots, today the town hall, with frescoed coats of arms of the commendatory abbots. The fortified area preserves the perimeter of the original church.

The Palace of the Abbots and the Renaissance loggia display chivalric frescoes (13th century) and lead to the vestibule frescoed with the allegorical cycle of Hell and Paradise (c. 1450, Antonio da Firenze and pupils). The church interior features frescoes of the Giotto school (14th century), including the Lignum Vitae, portraits of the founders, and coats of arms of the abbots. The crypt, rebuilt in 1914, houses treasures such as the 15th-century Pietà, the marble Annunciation, and the urn of Saint Anastasia.

Around the abbey, the 18th-century Fabris and Freschi villas and the agricultural landscape reveal Roman centuriation. Also worth visiting are the Stalis mill, the small church of San Pietro, the Bagnarola sawmill, and the Venchieredo fountain, mentioned by Nievo. The abbey remains a center of art, history, and spirituality between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Events and traditions

Several events take place in Sesto al Reghena: the Trout Festival in Bagnarola between May and June; the Wine Festival in Ramuscello on March 19 for Saint Joseph; Sexto ‘Nplugged, between June and August, offers avant-garde and international music in the abbey complex, with repertoires adapted to the space for an emotional experience; finally, the Living Nativity is held in the abbey park on December 24 and 26 of even-numbered years, attracting visitors with history, art, and tradition.

What to see nearby

In the surroundings of Sesto al Reghena, several places of historical, artistic, and natural interest are worth visiting. The Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis offers medieval frescoes, the crypt, and Renaissance works, while the 18th-century Freschi and Fabris villas impress with monumental façades and oratories. Also worth seeing are the Stalis mill, the small church of San Pietro (12th century), the Bagnarola sawmill, and the Venchieredo fountain, mentioned by Nievo. The surrounding landscape preserves Roman centuriation and allows pleasant walks along the Reghena River, among woods and fields, immersed in Friulian history and nature.

This village allows visitors to rediscover themselves while learning about the ancient traditions and customs of Friuli.

All that’s left is to visit and let us know what you think.

Cover photo credits: high fliers