Visiting Polcenigo: the Friulian village immersed in nature

Polcenigo, listed among the “Most Beautiful Villages of Italy,” owes its name to the Roman toponym Paucinius, with possible Celtic influences. A legend instead links it to a “poucell,” daughter of the Count of Blois, to whom Charles the Bald is said to have donated the territory in 875. The origins of the settlement date back to the 5th millennium BC, with a reclaimed village in the Palù area. In the Iron Age, the area was inhabited by Venetic and Celtic peoples; from Roman times remain mosaics, coins, and pottery. Between the 5th and 6th centuries Christianity spread with the parish church of San Floriano. In 963 Otto I granted the territory in fief, giving rise to the Counts of Polcenigo and the castle around which the village developed. After patriarchal rule, in 1445 Venice took over, fostering agricultural and artisanal growth. In the following centuries, Polcenigo experienced dominations, wars, emigration, and the tragedy of the Spanish flu.

What to see in Polcenigo

A visit to Polcenigo, one of the “Most Beautiful Villages of Italy,” begins with the castle, built on a hill and already mentioned in 875. Rebuilt between 1738 and 1770 by architect Matteo Lucchesi as a Venetian villa, it was once connected to the village by a staircase of 365 steps. Today, the walls and the church of San Pietro remain. In the square stands Palazzo Fullini, a 17th-century residence with portico, mullioned windows, mascarons, and refined 18th-century stuccoes. On Via Gorgazzo rises Palazzo Scolari-Salice with its 19th-century garden, while along Via Coltura are historic palaces such as Zaro, linked to the Counts of Polcenigo and the Manin family, and the 16th-century theater. Among the churches, noteworthy are San Giacomo, with medieval frescoes, marble altars, and a Venetian organ; the oratory of San Rocco with its bell tower; Ognissanti (1371); San Lorenzo with works by Bettini and Tizianello; and San Giovanni with paintings by Dall’Oglio and Valvasori. At the top of the hill stands the parish church of San Floriano, with 14th-century frescoes attributed to the school of Vitale da Bologna or Tommaso da Modena. Completing the itinerary is the pile-dwelling site of Palù di Livenza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011.

Events and traditions of the village

In Fortajada, in April, during the feast of San Giovanni, it is traditional to eat frittata. In August, the Festa dei Ciclamini is celebrated, with reenactments of ancient crafts, lunch in a mountain hut, stargazing with telescopes, and food and wine stands with local cuisine, in honor of the most beautiful mountain flower. On the first weekend of September, the Sagra dei Thést takes place, with exhibitions of typical products and crafts, theater performances, concerts, the opening of historic gardens and courtyards, delicious food—especially alpine cheese—and displays of wicker or reed baskets. At the end of October, the Sagra della Castagna in Mezzomonte offers markets, traditional dishes, and chestnut-based products. Between December and January, the Nativity Scene Exhibition lights up the village with lights and music, with nativity scenes decorated according to the tradition of local basket weavers.

What to see around the village

The surroundings of Polcenigo offer many attractions not to be missed. Lake Barcis, nestled among woods and mountains, is ideal for walks, picnics, and water sports. The Palù di Livenza Nature Reserve, a UNESCO site, offers evocative nature trails and birdwatching opportunities, while the Gorgazzo waterfalls amaze with their crystal-clear waters and spectacular cascades fed by underground springs. A short distance away is Sacile, nicknamed the “little Venice of Friuli,” with its Renaissance historic center, arcades along the Livenza, and historic palaces. The Cellina Valleys offer trails through gorges and routes for trekking and mountain biking, immersed in nature. Finally, about 40 km away, the National Archaeological Museum of Cividale del Friuli preserves Lombard and Roman artifacts, making the area rich in history and culture.

Don’t miss the chance to visit this fascinating village of Friuli.

Cover photo credits: high fliers