WHAT SHOULD YOU CERTAINLY VISIT IN GEMONA & VENZONE?

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BEAUTIFUL MEDIEVAL MARKET TOWNS

 

These two medieval villages have always been connected over the centuries. In the Middle Ages because of their important role in providing shelter to the Pilgrims who passed through here on their way to the holy city of Rome, but also because of their importance as market towns. In more recent times because of their involvement in a devastating earthquake. 

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A MEDIEVAL HIGHWAY CALLED TAGLIAMENTO

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The towns are not far from the Tagliamento river and its large pebble riverbed which was used as the 'highway' in ancient times. The market traders and merchants walked along the banks of the river and had to pay a toll to cross it.  They also had to pay a tax to enter the villages and in a short period of time the two towns became very wealthy. Their role became less important when the city of Udine in the 13th century was given the right to hold a weekly market. Soon the merchants decided to walk a bit further to the more central city of Udine which quickly grew in size.

 

THE EARTHQUAKES OF 1976

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In more recent times, due to the earthquake of 1976, these two villages were eventually put on the Italian map. The earthquake of the 6th of May with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale, almost completely destroyed In only 1 minute of time all the buildings and houses that had proudly stood here for  centuries. Their history seemed to be cancelled forever. 

 

The earthquake caused about 1,000 victims and thousands of people became homeless. The large aftershocks of September were slightly weaker with a magnitude of 5.8 on the Richter scale and fortunately didn't claim other human lives.  

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Thanks to the media attention given to this area, the before that unknown region Friuli Venezia Giulia was kind of rediscovered by the Italians.

Many other regions and foreign countries offered financial help and engineering knowledge to make the reconstruction, that took about 20 years, a great succes. First the factories were rebuilt, then the houses, and finally the churches and monuments. All with great care to respect the original construction works but also to make everything earthquake-proof. 

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WHAT TO VISIT IN VENZONE?

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A MEDIEVAL MOVIE SET

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Just strolling through the small streets of Venzone it makes you feel as if time stood still. When you realise that everything that surrounds you was rebuilt stone by stone, re-using mostly the same medieval materials putting them back where they were and how they were, you see this town in a complete different perspective. It looks like a medieval movie set and actually it is. Several movies were filmed here, among which 'A farewell to arms' of 1932, written by Ernest Hemingway and featuring a very young Rock Hudson.

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AN EARTHQUAKE MUSEUM AND MUMMIES

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A visit to Venzone is not complete without going to the Earthquake Museum 'Tiere Motus', which means earthquake in the Friulian language. A large amount of videos and pictures show how Venzone has resurrected after this fatal year.

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After visiting the beautiful completely rebuilt 14th century Cathedral pay a visit to the small S. Michele chapel in front of the church. Here you can see the famous mummies of Venzone. The mummies were formed thanks to a parasitic fungus that lived in the cemetery soil and turned the skin of these medieval inhabitants into parchment.

To enter you need a coin that you can buy for €2,- in the nearby cafes, shops or tourist office.

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WHAT TO VISIT IN GEMONA?

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GEMONA THE ART CITY

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The historic center of Gemona is not large but along the 1 mile main road, you will come across some amazing art attractions and treasures. Starting with the impressive Gothic church S. Maria Assunta where a larger-than-life stone Saint Cristopher has been standing guard since centuries. 

You can climb up the stairs to the castle from where you have a wonderful view of the surrounding Alps and the old town. 

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There are also several very interesting museums in Gemona. The Museum of the Cathedral - "il museo del Duomo", houses sacred art works from times gone by. The Palace of Elti - Palazzo Elti - (where also the tourist office is located)  offers a wonderful rich collection of antique paintings.