Cella
Cella: a small mountain village
Cella is a picturesque hamlet located in Val Degano, in the province of Udine, at an altitude of 494 meters above sea level. It is a place immersed in nature, at the foot of Mount Col Gentile, where the Degano stream flows. The area is characterized by a natural terrace, with the Riù di Paulâr stream to the south and the Zeps meadow to the north of its territory.
The history of Cella
The first traces of life in Cella date back to the late Middle Ages, although the area was frequented since ancient times, as evidenced by the discovery of a Lombard tomb near the church of San Rocco. During the Middle Ages and the modern age, Cella was an autonomous municipality together with Agrons, but it was suppressed at the beginning of the 19th century and its territory was annexed to the municipality of Mione, later becoming part of Ovaro.
During the 18th century, Cella began a production of terracotta, which lasted until the post-war period. Today, some of these works can be seen at the Carnic Museum of Popular Arts in Tolmezzo.
Places of interest
The village of Cella is simple but very characteristic. The only building of artistic interest is the church of San Rocco, which dates back to a period before the 15th century. It is a small Gothic church, with a polygonal presbytery and a sail bell tower on the facade. Inside there is a wooden altar from the 17th century.
Originally, the church was dedicated to St. Stephen, but following the cult of St. Rocco, which arose after a devastating plague epidemic, the church was rededicated and the cult of St. Stephen fell into disuse. Near the church, there was also a confraternity - later suppressed - dedicated to St. Rocco.
Another building worth a visit is the former Agrons-Cella Social Dairy, built in 1911 and now used as a social center called "Cjasa da Plêf".
Conclusions
Cella is a village with an ancient and fascinating history. Despite its small size, it offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in nature, visit the church of San Rocco, and admire the production of terracotta from the past. A visit to Cella is ideal for those who want to detach from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a moment of peace and tranquility, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Friulian mountains.
