Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Population: 1.184.654
Surface (Kmq): 7844
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 151
Main City: Trieste (TS)
Other towns: Gorizia (GO); Pordenone (PN); Udine (UD).

Due to its geographical location, Friuli-Venezia Giulia has been for centuries a crossroads of cultures and people, a borderland, the front line between the Latin, Slav and Germanic cultures. The region’s diverse natures show not only in its various languages, but also in architectural design, in its cuisine, in its folklore and in the soul and culture of its proud and hospitable people. Friuli’s mountains are excellent for all sorts of winter and summer sports. The Carnia is one of the most important botanical areas in Europe. The Tarvisiano boasts natural beauties which include the Foresta di Tarvisio, one of the most beautiful woodlands in Italy, and Laghi di Fusine, lakes surrounded by luxuriant foliage. The region is also famous for its seaside resorts and coastline: Lignano Sabbiadoro, named after the colour of its beaches; the fishermen village of Marano Lagunaro with its picturesque casoni, straw huts; and Grado, also known as the golden island.

The region was significantly affected by the invasion of Romans, who in 181 BC founded the city of Aquileia. During the first centuries AD, Friuli was repeatedly invaded by the Barbarians. Among them were the Lombards, who in 568 established in Cividale their first dukedom in Italy.

Charles the Great conquered this land in 776 and created the marca of Friuli and Istria, as part of the Sacred Roman Empire. In 1077, the Patriarch of Aquileia, already an old and vast ecclesiastical jurisdiction, was given by the Emperor near-sovereign authority, which was maintained until 1420 when Friuli passed under the control of the Republic of Venice.
In 1832, however, Trieste was transferred to the Habsburg Austrians, who from the 16th century also controlled the county of Gorizia, but lost the territory around Pordenone. In 1719, Trieste acquired “free port” status and became one of the most important international ports on the Mediterranean.
From 1797, after the fall of the Republic of Venice, Friuli was dominated by the French and by the Austrians. In 1866, a great part of the territory encompassing today’s provinces of Udine and Pordenone joined the kingdom of Italy, but it was only after World War I that the provinces of Trieste and Gorizia were included.