Buon Natale: Holiday Events in Friuli Venezia-Giulia Italy

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Friuli Venezia-Giulia is a northeastern region of Italy that borders Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic Sea. Slavic, German and Mediterranean influences and traditions converge in this region.

Provinces of Friuli–Venezia Giulia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This area has the pristine alpine regions of the Carnia and Julian Alps. The regional capital is Trieste. The Civic Museum of the Sea in Trieste displays the history of navigation.

Location of region xy (see filename) in Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The ancient Romans left remarkable traces in Aquileia. The Romanesque-Gothic Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia and the Archaeological Area became a UNESCO inscribed World Heritage Site in 1998. Destroyed by Attila in the mid 5^th century, Aquileia was a Roman river port and one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Early Roman Empire. Surrounded by ruins, visit the Roman villas, baths and temples. Most of the site is intact and has not been excavated.

Foro romano di Aquileia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Patriarchal Basilican Complex is a fascinating archeological site with splendid mosaics that represent the secret language of Christianity. This town played an important role in the spread of Christianity into Central Europe in the early Middle Ages.

The nearby seaside resort town of Grado is a great “Vino con Vista” destination. Order a glass of Sauvignon, Riesling or Tocai to enjoy with your San Daniele prosciutto and Montasio cheese in the center of the old town. Then consider some Romandolo sweet white dessert wine with your strudel. Visit the 4th century Duomo of Santa Maria delle Grazie with beautiful 6^th century mosaics and the Basilica di Sant’ Eufemia.

The praises of the Aquileia vineyards have been sung since the Roman Empire. They are currently dominated by red Merlot and white Tocai grapes. The Ramandolo appellation has been granted the prized DOCG designation for the honey colored dessert wine; the pinnacle of the quality guidelines for wine production.

This region of Italy has eight Wine Trails. The scenic Collio Goriziano Trail in Giulia starts in Gorizia and covers the vineyards of Cormons and Dolegna del Collio.

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Holiday Events in Friuli Venezia-Giulia

There are some distinctive traditional holiday events in this chilly region where “Baby it’s Cold Out There” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYFMVfAbbgU&feature=related.

”Il Pignarul” is held in Tracento, near Udine on January 6th. After a pageant with participants dressed in thirteenth-century costume, they re-create the Three Wise Men‘s encounter with the Baby Jesus. At the end of the ceremony that ends at Castello Goia, an enormous bonfire called “Pignarul” ensues. The direction that the smoke travels signifies whether the harvest for the next season will be abundant. Many “Pignarul” festivities are held in Friuli.

“Krampus Festivities” are held in many towns in the Carnia Valley with elaborate masks that portray the 12 faces of evil. Krampus is St. Nick’stwo-horned furry alter-ego.

Many towns on the Austrian and Slovenian border celebrate the arrival of “San Nicolo” with charming festivities.

In Aquileia d’Inverno visit the “Mercatino Natalizio” on December 8th.

In Udine attend “Festa di Santa Lucia” in Borgo S. Lazzaro on via L. Moro on December 13th.

In Grado a “Concerto della Banda” will be held in the Auditorium Biagio on December 23rd and “Messa di Mezzanote” at the Basilica of Sant’Eufemia on December 24th. Attend Festa dell “Sfrisete” on Via Tasso on December 27th.

Epiphany Festivals:

In Cividale there is a Historical Epiphany Pagent and Parade on January 6th

In Gremona “Messa del Tallero” is a Medieval Event held on January 6th with a historical parade of knights and damsels who accompany the Mayor to the Duomo. Attend the traditional “Dollar Mass” at the church when the Mayor gives a dollar minted in 1780 under the reign of Maria Teresa of Austria as part of the ceremony.

In Paularo “La Femenate Bonfire” is held on January 6th.

In Chiusaforte (UD) attend “Arriviano i Re Magi” on January 6th at Lungo le vie del Paese.

In San Giovgio di Nogaro (UD) attend “Le Befana vien dal Fiume” at Presso il Centro Canoa di Villanova on January 5th.

In Tarcento attend the Bonfire Festival on January 6th.