Friuli Venezia Giulia
The most unexplored region in Italy
To explain where Friuli Venezia Giulia is, we never mention Italy. We use two coordinates: two hours from Venice and near Austria and Slovenia.
The little synopsis of the Universe
Italian writer Ippolito Nievo defined Friuli Venezia Giulia as “The little synopsis of the Universe” and that is enough to explain the number of things that you can see and do in this almost unknown part of Italy.
Yet most people from the rest of Italy can’t even pronounce Friuli in the correct way (it’s Friûli, not Frìuli). Probably because Friuli-Venezia Giulia is hard to define. My region is a patchwork of people, languages, food, and environments that stretch way beyond Italy.
Friuli, Venezia Giulia, Collio, sea, mountains and good food
The biggest area, Friuli, takes its name from Forum Iulii, aka the city of Julius Caesar, aka the modern Cividale. It corresponds to the modern province of Udine, comprised between the Tagliamento and the Isonzo rivers, and comprehends the beaches of Lignano, the city of Udine, the hills of San Daniele (best prosciutto in the world), and the mountains of Carnia.
To the east of Friuli is the Venezia Giulia with the city of Trieste, which still maintains the fascination of the Habsburg empire and coast similar to Croatia.
All around are the sweet hills of Collio which are home to some of the best wines in the world. The lovely Grado still owns the romantic aspect of a fishermen’s hamlet. The culture-packed Pordenone with one of the most interesting book fairs in Italy. The city of Tarvisio, up in the most eastern corner of the region and Italy itself, lives shoulder to shoulder with Austria and Slovenia.
Why I love living in Friuli Venezia Giulia
For many years, when I was a teenager, I would have given everything to escape this place but now I wouldn’t live anywhere else.
I like waking up in the morning and decide there and then where to go sea, hills, mountains, a foreign nation, or even… Venice.
I like traditions blending with modernity and history that is still part of the landscape.
I hope that through my words you’ll be able to enjoy it as well and that maybe you’ll visit Friuli Venezia Giulia one day, or that you’ll discover something new.
Some useful links
