Discover what to do in Fossalta di Portogruaro in the province of Venice: the church of San Zenone, Ferragosto Fossaltese, the Bosco di Alvisopoli, Villa Mocenigo.
Where is Fossalta di Portogruaro?
The municipality of Fossalta di Portogruaro borders to the north with Teglio Veneto, to the northeast with Morsano al Tagliamento, to the south with Portogruaro, to the east with San Michele al Tagliamento, to the west with Portogruaro.
Bike ride in Fossalta di Portogruaro
The start
The recommended bike ride starts from the parking lot in Piazza Risorgimento (45.793443556927556, 12.908387369863762).
The church of San Zenone
The first stop of the route is the 19th-century church of San Zenone. The austere bulk of the place of worship is distinguished by a brick façade with projecting sections culminating in a soaring spire that completes its vertical development.
Accessible via a massive wooden door preceded by a refined portico, the church has two mullioned windows on the side aisles and a large three-mullioned window in the center of the facade.
Flanked by a square-based bell tower culminating in an octagonal spire, the church has a Latin cross plan divided into three aisles covered by a cross vault and articulated by wide round arches.
Ferragosto Fossaltese
And it is precisely in Piazza Risorgimento that the celebrations of Ferragosto Fossaltese are held every year. The traditional event begins between the end of July and the beginning of August and involves the local population until August 15, the day of the Assumption of Mary, also one of the most significant days of the liturgical calendar.
To liven up the streets of the historic center there will be musical performances and cinema under the stars, evenings of dancing and theatrical events, recreational activities for children, sports competitions and fireworks displays, not to mention the wine and food specialties to be tasted in the large stands in the oratory area.
The celebrations conclude with mass and the solemn procession, the most significant moment of spiritual participation in the festival.
The oasis of the Bosco di Alvisopoli
To reach the next stop of the route, the oasis of the Bosco di Alvisopoli, leave the church facade behind you, turn left and go along Via Callalta for about 100 meters, then keep left and go for 1.3 km along Via Trieste and Via Mocenigo on the cycle path in the shade of tall plane trees and well-kept hedges.
Villa Mocenigo
Keep right on Via Mocenigo until you find on your left the entrance to Villa Mocenigo, a 16th-century architectural complex preceded by a large square delimited by a moat that channels the course of the Taglio, on whose waters fascinating porticoed buildings are reflected.
Raised on three floors and culminating in a classical pediment, the stately residence designed by Andrea Palladio is flanked by barchesse and farmers’ houses, which in turn are connected to schools, a church, a mill complex and a kiln, united to form a quadrangular perimeter framing a tree-lined garden.
The Bosco di Alvisopoli
Conceived as a utopian and self-sufficient reality, the ancient settlement rises near the vast and lush Bosco di Alvisopoli, a peaceful natural site internally crossed by pleasant paths and placid watercourses that lap its flourishing complex of tree, shrub and floral biodiversity.
The church of San Bernardino
After visiting the park, leave the villa facade behind you, turn right and follow the cycle path on Via N. Bettoni for 1.3 km, then cross the pedestrian crossing and continue westwards along the cycle path on Via Conti C. Valvason for about 1 km until you reach the center of Fratta where the church of San Bernardino rises, a charming 16th-century place of worship distinguished by a simple and elegant double-pitched facade adorned with hanging arches and featuring a small rose window.
Bosco Buranello
At the crossroads, turning left onto Via Castello you will find signs to access Bosco Buranello, a shady green area bathed by a clear stream.
Return to the starting point
If instead you want to return to the starting point, go straight on Via Carlo Altoviti for 260 meters, then turn left and proceed for 1.7 km along Via Carnielli Don Candido and Via Giuseppe Barbuio, venturing into the quiet rural landscape of the municipality.
Leave the cemetery on your left and go from Via Giuseppe Barbuio to Via San Pio X towards the center. Go along Via San Pio X for 150 meters, then keep left and after 60 meters turn right into the paved area of Piazza Risorgimento. Continue for about 120 meters until you reach the starting point.
What to do in Fossalta di Portogruaro
If you are wondering what to do in Fossalta di Portogruaro and want to immerse yourself in a serene rural location in the Venetian hinterland where splendid monuments of art and architecture, from the invaluable Palladian heritage to mild and silent green islands dotted with majestic centuries-old trees, intertwine with cheerful folk traditions that attest to the historical, cultural, spiritual and folkloric value of this lively community, a visit to this charming municipality on the border with Friuli-Venezia Giulia will certainly suit you!
