Barcis
A mountainous province
The province of Pordenone is one of the four provinces in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in the north of Italy. It is located between Udine to the east and Veneto to the west, with boundaries running along the mountain range of the Prealps Carnic and the Dolomites Friulane. Unlike other provinces in the region, it does not face the Adriatic Sea. The territory includes hilly and plains areas, but the valleys and mountains are the most characteristic landscape of the province.
The mountain valleys
The province has several mountain valleys that offer enchanting views, making it an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Notable valleys include Val d'Arzino, Val Cosa, Val Tramontina, Val Colvera, Val Cellina, Val Cimoliana, Val Settimana, and Valle del Vajont. Despite its natural beauty, the Valle del Vajont is known for the Vaiont Dam disaster of October 9th, 1963, which caused the death of more than 2,000 people.
Crystalline rivers and lakes
The rivers and lakes in the province of Pordenone are very important for the local economy and tourism. Among the rivers are the Tagliamento, Italy's oldest river, the Livenza, the Cellina, the Meduna, and the Noncello. Among the lakes are Lake Barcis, Lake Ravedis, Lake dei Tramonti, Lake Cà Selva, Lake Cà Zul, and Lake del Vajont. These lakes are beloved by locals for their crystalline waters and unspoiled nature.
Natural beauties to discover
The province of Pordenone is rich in natural resources, including the Magredi di San Quirino, the Torbiere di Sequals, the Fonti Solforose di Anduins, the Grotte Verdi di Pradis, the Grotte di Campone, the Parco naturale delle Dolomiti Friulane, and the Riserve naturali della Foresta del Prescudin and della Forra del Cellina. All of these places are perfect for excursions and outdoor activities immersed in nature.
The history of the province
In 1968, the province of Pordenone was established by detachment from Udine province, becoming an autonomous province in all respects. The provincial capital is Pordenone, a city that gave its name to the province and is the center of economic and social life in the area. Throughout its history, the province has undergone several vicissitudes, including the Vaiont Dam disaster of 1963, which caused the death of thousands of people.
Pordenone's curious license plate abbreviation
A curiosity about the province of Pordenone is its license plate abbreviation. Initially, the abbreviation was supposed to be PO, but this abbreviation had already been used for other Italian provinces like Parma, Palermo, and Pistoia. At that point, on commission from the city of Prato council, the now-famous secretary went to pray in Pordenone to change the abbreviation to PN, an acronym for "Portus Naonis," the ancient Latin name for the provincial capital. And so it was, PN became the acronym for the province of Pordenone on car license plates.
