Toppo: the fortified village of Carnia

Perched on a rocky spur overlooking the valley of the But stream, Toppo is a small stone jewel in the municipality of Travesio, in the province of Pordenone. Listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of Italy,” Toppo has preserved its medieval layout and a strong historical identity.

Toppo, from the Friulian Tóp, first appeared in 1186. The name may derive from a “fallen tree trunk” or from tuppaz, a Lombard term meaning “small hill,” referring to the local landscape.

The site was already frequented in Roman times, as evidenced by mosaics found near ancient farmsteads. In the 6th century AD, the foothill road mentioned in the De vita Sancti Martini crossed the Meduna River near Toppo.

In 1160, Uroino, the first local lord and descendant of the Norman Sigfrido who had come to Friuli from the Kingdom of Naples, appeared.

In 1220 and 1231, his descendants obtained from the Patriarch of Aquileia the castle and the eight farmsteads below, which formed the original nucleus of the village.

In 1543, the palace of the Counts of Toppo was built.

After the 1976 earthquake, the village was rebuilt but still preserves traces of its ancient rural system.

What to see in Toppo

Since the 13th century, the village of Toppo has been divided into two nuclei: to the east, the farmsteads of Toppo (Via Fornace, Via Nazario Sauro, Church of San Lorenzo), and to the west, the hamlet of Pino, at the foot of the castle (Via Verdi, Via Castello).

The current palace of the Counts of Toppo originated from one of the eight medieval farmsteads documented in 1220. After the 1976 earthquake, traces of Roman settlements were found in at least three of them.

The Toppo-Wassermann Palace, built in the 16th century and remodeled in the 18th, served both as a summer residence and as an administrative center. The portal of 1543 bears a Latin inscription; inside are 17th-century sacred frescoes and the chapel of San Girolamo, with 18th-century works, a 15th-century statue of Saint Lucy, and a Lombard holy water font.

From the palace begins the percorso dei masi (farmstead route), lined with stone buildings from the 17th–18th centuries.

The Castle of Toppo, restored in 2012, dominates the landscape: dating back to the 12th–14th centuries, it is among the finest fortified architectures in Friuli. Inside were once a clandestine mint and the small church of Sant’Antonio Abate with 14th-century frescoes.

Descending along Via Fornace, you can see 17th-century farmsteads and the lime kiln (1926–1957).

In Travesio, the parish church of San Pietro houses one of the most important pictorial cycles of the Friulian Renaissance: the frescoes by Il Pordenone (1516–1526), a painter influenced by Giorgione, Michelangelo, and Titian.

The visit is completed by works of the sculptor Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte: the sacristy portal (1484) and the baptismal font (1490).

Events, culture, and traditions

In Travesio, events are held every year that combine tradition, flavor, and culture.

In March, the characteristic Sagra delle Rane (Frog Festival) takes place, while in July local flavors are celebrated with the Trout and Cheese Festival.

At the beginning of September, the village comes alive with Settembre in villa – Portoni Aperti: about ten Friulian houses in Borgo Martins and Via della Fornace open their doors to the public. The heart of the event is the Toppo-Wassermann Palace, around which food stalls, craft markets, and a wine bar are set up.

Finally, throughout October, Sundays are dedicated to the Friulian Theater Festival, hosted at the Travesio Auditorium.

Around Toppo

Toppo is the ideal starting point to discover the authentic soul of the Friulian mountains. Just a few kilometers away you can visit:

Spilimbergo, with its famous mosaic school and Gothic Cathedral.

Tramonti di Sopra and Tramonti di Sotto, with waterfalls, canyons, and nature trails.

The Friulian Dolomites Natural Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, perfect for trekking and excursions.

Discover it and let us know what you think!

Cover photo credits: Borghi belli FGV