Discover what to do in Eraclea: the church of Santa Maria Concetta, the pumping station of Torre di Fine, the Mort Lagoon, Via della Pineta, the Revedoli Canal, the cycle path along the Piave. Want to know more? First of all…
Where is Eraclea?
The municipality of Eraclea borders to the north with Torre di Mosto and Caorle, to the south with Jesolo and the Adriatic Sea, to the east with Caorle and Santo Stino di Livenza, to the west with San Donà di Piave and Jesolo.
Bike ride in Eraclea and Caorle
Starting from the church of Santa Maria Concetta
The recommended bike ride starts from the car park adorned with palms and maritime pines in front of the church of Santa Maria Concetta.
Set in the urban heart of Eraclea, a few steps from the course of the Piave, the austere bulk of the sacred building is distinguished by an imposing projecting facade in exposed brick adorned with a pattern of blind arches.
Vertically tripartite by two soaring pilasters, the parish church is accessible via a massive wooden door preceded by a porticoed area punctuated by three round arches supported by composite order columns, above which stands the large stained glass rose window flanked by two slender, tall windows.
With a Latin cross plan, the place of worship has three naves internally, the central one leading to the presbytery and the high altar enclosed in the semicircular apse.
Towards Crepaldo
After visiting the place of worship, leave the east side of the church on your left and take Via Roma passing through Via Fratelli Bandiera. Follow Via Roma northeast for 400 meters, then take Via Fausta and continue for 500 meters to the roundabout. Take the second exit and proceed for 2.1 km along the Jesolana provincial road until you reach the locality of Crepaldo.
At the roundabout, in the center of which stands the monument to the Lagunari, take the second exit and follow Via dei Sette Casoni for 4.4 km, entering the serene natural landscape bordered to the north by vast expanses of vineyards and cornfields surrounding silos and large rural buildings, to the south by the grassy embankments of the canal from which dense tufts of pale river reeds with pointed leaves emerge.
The Pumping Station of Torre di Fine
Cross Ponte Ravanelli and proceed south along the provincial road 53 and Via Grazia Deledda, following the placid course of Canale Ongaro until you reach the white parish church of San Ferdinando Re in the enchanting locality of Torre di Fine
The place of worship features a gabled facade adorned with hanging arches in which three tall single-lancet windows open.
Accessible via a portico punctuated by three round arches surmounted by a tympanum crowned by acroterial statues, the interior of the church is bright, sober, and consists of a single nave leading to the altar surmounted by the frescoed dome of the apse.
Leave the church facade behind you and proceed south along Via Grazia Deledda until you find on your left the Pumping Station of Torre di Fine.
A formidable example of industrial architecture from the 1920s, the pumping station features an elegant red brick structure framed by cedars, cypresses, and maritime pines, in which open three large arched glass windows.
A true jewel of mechanics built for major land reclamation works during the 20th century, the splendid century-old building harmoniously blends into the natural landscape of Eraclea, of which it is one of the most fascinating and significant sites.
The Mort Lagoon
Proceed south from Via Grazia Deledda to Via Revedoli, cross Ponte Revedoli and turn right, then proceed for 1.3 km. Once you reach the barrier and the prohibition sign (45.55718677669953, 12.739045904442898), keep left and continue along the country road in the shade of poplars and acacias for 650 meters, then turn left onto Via dei Pioppi.
Proceed along Via dei Pioppi and Via Dancalia for 1.3 km until you reach the Mort Lagoon, a coastal basin formed in the 1930s following the overflow of the Piave. The formation of this evocative marine environment enclosed by a coastline dotted with shrubs, maritime pines, and brackish vegetation creates a delicate ecosystem that favors the proliferation of various plant and shellfish species, whose presence attests to the healthiness of this fragile and precious habitat.
The Beach of Eraclea Mare
After visiting the Mort Lagoon, return to Via Dancalia (45.54290596719734, 12.75362717443367) passing through the lush pine forest crossed by winding dirt paths. Head southeast to access the white beach of Eraclea Mare, holder for many consecutive years of the Blue Flag, a prestigious recognition certifying the quality of the waters and the marine environment.
Return Trip
Cross the beach punctuated by orderly rows of colorful umbrellas until you reach the kiosk of the Marefelice beach resort, then head northwest along the path that goes into the vast expanse of maritime pines, an ideal destination for those seeking a quiet and restful natural spot sheltered from the scorching summer sun.
Continue along the path until you reach the Il Girasole restaurant, turn left and follow Via delle Pinete for 500 meters, then continue on Via della Pineta for another 550 meters to the roundabout, take the first exit onto Via Marinella and after about 80 meters turn left onto Via delle Dune.
Travel Via delle Dune for 550 meters and turn right onto Via dei Lecci. Proceed to the roundabout, take the third exit and continue on Via Dancalia until you reach Via dei Pioppi.
Follow Via dei Pioppi for 900 meters, turn right and again travel the tree-lined road until you return to Ponte Revedoli, after crossing which keep left on Via Revedoli for 3 km.
Cross the bridge over the Piave (bicycle by hand), turn right and follow Via Massaua for 500 meters, then turn right and proceed for 6 km along the cycle path immersed in the greenery that follows the winding wooded bends of the river sacred to the homeland.
After passing the Terrazza Piave trattoria, cross the bridge over the Piave and at the roundabout take the third exit, continue along the Provincial Road 52 for about 100 meters and turn right. Proceed along Via Roma for 150 meters, then turn left onto Via G. Marconi until you return to the starting point.
What to do in Eraclea? In summary!
If you ask yourself what to do in Eraclea and wish to immerse yourself in unspoiled seaside locations, boundless wooded areas, and peaceful tree-lined nature trails that follow the winding and icy course of the river sacred to the homeland, a visit to this splendid municipality in the Venetian area will certainly be an unforgettable experience!
