Discover what to do in Caorle: the GiraLivenza, the casoni of Caorle, the church of Madonna dell’Angelo, the scogliera viva, the cathedral of Santo Stefano Protomartire. Do you want to know more? First of all…
Where is Caorle?
The municipality of Caorle borders to the north with Concordia Sagittaria, to the north east with Portogruaro, to the south with the Adriatic Sea, to the east with San Michele al Tagliamento, to the west with Eraclea, Torre di Mosto and San Stino di Livenza.
Bike Ride in Caorle
The recommended bike ride starts from the parking lot of the parish La Salute di Livenza.
Featuring a motif of hanging arches that follows the projecting profile of the façade, the red brick church is accessible through a massive wooden door surmounted by a glass lunette. Further ornamental elements of value are the white pinnacles flanking the metal cross on the top of the roof and the refined rose window with a radial tracery in white stone.
Next to the solemn bulk of the parish stands the square-based bell tower, in which, at the belfry level, a triple lancet window with a balustrade opens on each side. Completing the vertical development of the structure, the octagonal spire stands out, resting on a drum decorated with mullioned windows and blind arches.
Leave the façade of the building behind you and exit the parking lot framed by dark cypresses, then turn right onto Via Martiri della Libertà and proceed to the stop sign.
At this point turn left and take the cycle path along the bridge over the Livenza, cross it, turn left and follow the provincial road 62 for 2.1 km until you glimpse the charming church of the Resurrection standing by a lush poplar grove.
Turn left and take the quiet dirt route that winds along the grassy bank covered with bright yellow buttercups that fades into thick expanses of water reeds with sharp leaves and feathery inflorescences swaying in the wind.
Follow the path that twists through the dark and winding meanders of the river, lapping river islets buried by dense vegetation of wild shrubs, poplars and white willows, and the boundless rural landscape dotted with farmhouses immersed in regular expanses of fields bounded on the horizon by tall hedges.
Just before the centuries-old winery Ca’ Corniani (45.61433171478204, 12.86103874571374), recognizable by its massive factory buildings with soaring chimneys on the roof that channel the light sea winds to give the wine its precious and unmistakable character, turn right into the parking lot of BIKEandGO, a company operating bicycle rentals and organizing guided tours.
You are facing the entrance of the cycle station. Turn left and after about 40 meters turn right, then proceed west for 150 meters passing in front of Parco della Rimembranza, a circular tree-lined garden enclosed by four gravel paths.
Proceed west for another 40 meters, then turn left and head south for 150 meters passing between a long two-story rural building and a large well-kept vegetable garden. At this point (45.612385981752155, 12.859048232987803) follow the cycle path south for 1.5 km until you reach the bank of the Livenza (45.60059727598933, 12.857447679969216).
Keep left and continue for 1.6 km along the cycle route that follows the river bend until you reach the bridge of the scales. Cross the bridge, follow the provincial road 62 for 400 meters to the roundabout, take the second exit and follow Strada Nuova passing in front of the National Museum of Maritime Archaeology. At the roundabout take the second exit, cross the wooden bridge and turn left, then follow Strada Palangon and Strada Falconera for 2.9 km along the white road that runs between the canal embankment and vast expanses of orchards.
At the end of Strada Passo Falconera you will find in front of you the start of the path that leads to the Casoni halászfalu, ancient lagoon constructions built of wood and reeds used for hunting and fishing activities.
Proceeding instead along Via dei Casoni you will enter a wild, uncontaminated and almost fairytale atmosphere, seemingly suspended in a primordial dimension. Continue along the white path that goes about 2 km into the fascinating lagoon landscape with jagged coasts dotted with islets wrapped in tree vegetation.
At the end of the path continue along the asphalt road and leave the Capri restaurant to your left, then turn right onto Viale dei cacciatori and cross the camping area made of well-aligned bungalows covered by the shade of tall maritime pines. At the intersection with Via Torino turn left and travel for 1.8 km along Lungomare Trieste, from which you can enjoy a wide view of the suggestive maritime panorama of Caorle and the orderly rows of colorful umbrellas.
From Lungomare Trieste continue on Lungomare Venezia until you reach the church of Madonna dell’Angelo, which stands isolated surrounded by the white cliff at the limit of the Levante beach.
Built in the mid-18th century on the foundations of an ancient place of worship dating back about 1300 years, the church has a double-sloping front preceded by a porticoed area supported by two columns and two Corinthian pillars that support the gable with a wavy profile adorned with statues, the central one depicting Saint Michael the Archangel.
Inside, the place of worship has a single hall supported by pilasters and surmounted by a vault with refined painted decoration that tells the legendary discovery of a statue of Mary by some fishermen.
Another element of historical value is a stone cross from the 16th century inserted in the base of the bell tower.
Leave the church façade behind you and proceed along the cliff bearing various sculptures depicting sea and amphibious creatures, expressive faces, perspective games, and symbolic and legendary representations.
Reach the fountain on Lungomare Venezia, then enter Piazza Vescovado from which rise the cathedral of Santo Stefano Protomartire and the cylindrical bell tower topped by a conical spire and pierced by single and double lancet windows.
Distinguished by a grand and unadorned projecting façade, the cathedral is divided internally into three naves marked by wide round arches surmounted by a beautiful wooden truss ceiling.
After visiting the thousand-year-old place of worship, proceed from Piazza Vescovado to Piazza San Pio X in a northwest direction, then continue northwest and take Calle delle Liburniche passing through the picturesque Rio Terrà delle Botteghe.
At the intersection with Fondamenta Pescheria (45.60002412949869, 12.887539074579243), turn right onto Piazza Papa Giovanni. Enter the roundabout, take the third exit and travel along Strada Nuova for 1.8 km until you return to the bridge of the scales.
Cross the bridge, turn left and travel along the GiraLivenza for 5.7 km flanking the Commessera Canal until you reach the Dal Mercantin restaurant. Continue along Strada Brian, leave the Ponte su canale Revedoli to your left and proceed along the embankment for 12 km until you reach the bridge of the Provincial Road Jesolana (45.646132470389986, 12.790561368570657).
Take the cycle path to your right and proceed northeast for 1.3 km, then cross the bridge over the Livenza River, turn right until you return to the starting point.
