Discover what to do in Gruaro: the parish of San Giusto, Boldara Mill, Lake Azzurro di Giai. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Gruaro?
The municipality of Gruaro borders to the north Sesto al Reghena, to the south Portogruaro, to the east Cordovado and Teglio Veneto, to the west Cinto Caomaggiore.
Bicycle ride in Gruaro and Portogruaro
Start of the cycle path at Lake Azzurro di Gruaro
The recommended cycle route starts from the parking lot of Lake Azzurro di Gruaro. Wrapped in lush tree vegetation on the border with Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the clear body of water is accessible via a white road and a wooden walkway connecting its grassy banks.
Lake Azzurro: an oasis of peace
Bordered by vast cultivated fields and serene forest formations, Lake Azzurro is a tranquil oasis of peace set in the pleasant rural landscape of the Venetian hinterland. Accessible with a membership card that can be requested on site, this charming location is ideal for sport fishing enthusiasts and anyone looking for a destination surrounded by greenery where they can enjoy quiet walks in the shade of acacias and black poplars.
Continuing along the cycle path
From the Lake Azzurro parking lot, proceed south for just over 200 meters, then keep left and continue along Via Giovanni Pascoli for 600 meters. At the intersection with Strada Provinciale 76, turn left and proceed for 270 meters, then continue along the cycle path that starts at the shrine.
Arrival at the center of Gruaro and the church of San Giusto Martire
Follow the cycle path that winds for 2.5 km through the rural landscape of Gruaro until you reach the center of Gruaro, announced by the solemn bulk of the church of San Giusto Martire.
The splendid place of worship features a simple gabled façade with frescoes that, despite fading from the inexorable signs of time, still capture attention centuries later for the mastery with which they were executed.
The painted decorations show both the figure of the Saint to whom the church is dedicated and that of Saint Christopher holding a staff and carrying the Child on his shoulders, both set within the suggestive frame of a false architecture consisting of two large arches supported by fluted columns topped with Ionic capitals.
Completing the elegant illusionistic structure is the massive architrave above which the rose window opens. Additional ornamental features are the motif of intersecting arches that follows the profile of the cornice and the three spires that conclude the vertical development of the structure.
Exploration of the Boldara Mill
Towering next to the ancient church, the tall brick bell tower has four single-lancet windows at the belfry and culminates in a spire resting on an octagonal drum.
Leave the parish of San Giusto on your right and proceed along Via Roma until you find Piazza Egidio dal Ben on your left, where the municipal building rises, at the center of which stands the white clock tower crowned with Ghibelline battlements.
End of the route at Boldara Mill
The last stop of the short itinerary, perhaps the most fascinating and mysterious, is the Boldara Mill. Leave the town hall behind and take Via Guglielmo Marconi, passing the historic arcaded building “Bar Trattoria Centrale“. Follow Via Guglielmo Marconi for 650 meters to the charming church of Sant’Angelo, then keep left and continue along Via Sant’Angelo for about 130 meters, then turn right onto Via Boldara.
Description of the Boldara Mill
Follow Via Boldara for 1.7 km, entering the rural landscape formed by vast cornfields and radiant poplar groves growing along the banks of the clear and cold course of the Lemene River, from whose grassy shores emerge thick wild reeds and tall trees covered with invasive vegetation.
After exactly 1.7 km, turn left onto the quiet dirt road shaded by green canopies and thick hedges from which you can hear the lively flow of the river, its sound gradually intensifying as you approach the ancient mill.
Exploration of the Boldara Mill area
Covered in faded and crumbling red plaster, the brick mill complex is a three-story building partly wrapped in a dense web of leaves and thick climbing roots, partly hidden by the light foliage of weeping willows leaning over the white foam of a small waterfall.
Cross the metal bridge and pass by the rusted barred windows, then turn right onto the dirt path from which you can enjoy a wide-ranging view of the historical-natural area where the centuries-old example of industrial archaeology blends harmoniously with the ivy embracing its walls, the moss covering its cornices from which a sparse little tree sprouts, as well as the dark and winding bed of the Lemene River that moves the freshwater algae that swell and gently sway, mimicking the motion of the currents.
Return to the starting point
Follow Via Cave, passing from the lush tree and shrub environment to the boundless rural plain lapped by the winding bends of the resurgence river, enclosing a country house accessible via a long tree-lined avenue.
Cross the plowed fields exposed to the sun until you reach the banks of the Lemene River again (45.81236879209113, 12.850645607544017), then keep left and proceed to the end of Via Cave.
At the intersection, turn right onto Via Gervino, then keep right onto Via Santa Maria, passing the church of Portovecchio. Cross the bridge and at the roundabout take the first exit. Follow Via Frassinedo for 1.6 km, turn left and proceed along S. da Ronci for 900 meters, then keep left and continue on S. da Ronci for 1.5 km.
Just before the intersection, cross the crosswalk on your left and proceed keeping left until you reach the pizzeria bar da Sergio and Mary. Cross the crosswalk at the bar, then turn right and continue for 60 meters, then turn left onto Via Giovanni Pascoli.
At this point, follow Via Giovanni Pascoli for 900 meters until you return to the starting point.
