Venzone
A unique city from a geographical point of view
Venzone is a small town in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, located at an altitude of 230 meters above sea level. The city is situated at the confluence of two important valleys: the Tagliamento, which leads to Carnia, and the Canal del Ferro. This makes it a unique city from a geographical point of view and one of the favorite places for tourists. Venzone is famous for its connection to the alpini, who traditionally enlisted in large numbers in this area. Today, the city hosts the 8th Alpine Regiment in the Feruglio barracks.
An ancient and fascinating history
Venzone has a long and fascinating history. Its name was first mentioned in 923 as ''Clausas de Albiciones.'' Over time, the toponym underwent various modifications, until it became Venzone. The name of the city certainly derives from the Venzonassa stream that flows nearby. The first official document in which the city is mentioned dates back to 1001: it is a diploma of Emperor Otto III with which the Patriarchate of Aquileia is granted permission to use the herbatico of the Canal del Ferro. In 1258, Glizoio di Mels, the lord of the place, began building the city's fortifications. Venzone thus obtained a double walls surrounded by a deep moat. The walls, 8 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, consisted of a system of 15 towers. Over the centuries, Venzone was ruled by various entities - from the Patriarchate of Aquileia to the Duke of Austria - before becoming a free community with a voice in the Friulian parliament in 1381. In 1420, like the rest of Friuli (excluding Gorizia and Pordenone with its surroundings), Venzone passed to the Republic of Venice. During this period, Venzone reached its maximum splendor, with a population that exceeded 2000 inhabitants.
Resistance in times of war
Venzone also played an important role in military resistance. In 1509, during the War of the League of Cambrai, the army of Maximilian I of Habsburg attacked Friuli from two directions. On July 5th, Captain Antonio Bidernuccio from Venzone, leading 40 men from Venzone citizens and Venetian soldiers, along with castellan Iacopo Sagredo, managed to repel the assault of Henry IV of Brunswick-Lüneburg's troops. During World War II, Venzone suffered serious damage as a result of an air bombing in 1944. The city was then rebuilt with great effort and dedication, respecting the original appearance of the walls and its historic buildings.
Venzone today and its international fame
Venzone has become internationally famous for being one of the best-preserved walled cities in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In 1965, Venzone was declared a national monument. The city is famous for its ancient walls and the many tourist attractions it offers visitors. The churches of San Michele Arcangelo and the Saints Geminiano and Servolo are two of its most important religious buildings. In addition, the city is home to the famous mummies museum, which preserves the mummies of its inhabitants who died between the 16th and 19th centuries. Venzone is also known for its carnival, which is one of the most important in the region. During the carnival, the city comes alive with celebrations, parades, and floats. In general, the town of Venzone represents a historical and geographical beauty worth visiting for tourists and enthusiasts of Italian history.
