Sacile: Venice’s Enchanting Little Sister Unveiled in 2024
Although everyone is familiar with the magnificent city of Venice, it’s possible that some people are unaware of its younger sister, Sacile, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Sacile, located in the Pordenone province, is home to 20,000 people and is spread across two charming islets in the Livenza River. The town is known as the “Garden of the Serenissima” because of the water-dominated landscape, the elegant architecture of the noble houses, and the remembrance of the historical events that saw Sacile’s fate entwined with Venice’s.
History
The second-biggest city in the province after the capital, Sacile—called Sacîl in the Friulian dialect—has all the makings of a little gem of culture and the arts. The form we may enjoy now is the one that emerged during the Renaissance and modern eras, during the Venetian Republic’s Golden Age, and which established the framework for the Friuli, Sacile, gateway city in 1420. There are very few surviving accounts of the ancient location, which was a far-off place of great commercial importance and a stronghold of the Friulian patriarchal empire. But there are also several magnificent palaces from the Venetian era, which double the elegance of the architectural lines as they reflect in the Livenza’s waters.
Cool things to see in Sacile
Cathedral of San Nicola
The Cathedral of San Nicola, constructed by Beltrame and Vittorino da Como at the end of the fifteenth century in the usual Renaissance style with Gothic overtones, is one of the most exquisite structures in the center. The cathedral, which was rebuilt following the earthquake in 1976, is situated in the “plazuta” of the same name, where the streets with medieval roots come together.
With a view of the city river, the Madonna della Pietà is a tiny church. It started in 1611 as a result of a miracle that happened in the summer of 1609; legend has it that after a Pietà statue was erected next to the bridge leading to the Square of Tears, the town saw a number of unexpected healings and other strange occurrences. The church’s hexagonal layout still has a lovely statue made of sandstone that portrays the Pietà.
The Church of San Gregorio
The Church of San Gregorio, which was established in the sixteenth century and is currently deconsecrated and used for concerts, exhibitions, and other cultural events, is another intriguing house of worship. The church’s walls, which were once part of a medieval hospital, preserve remnants of old murals that depict San Giacomo and the city’s coat of arms.
Palazzo Flangini-Biglia
A must-see is the 15th-century Palazzo Flangini-Biglia, which was painted inside with a cycle of murals by Francesco Montemezzano and was owned by the Ragazzoni family of Venice for a considerable amount of time. The Piazza del Popolo is worth seeing; it has an uneven layout and is surrounded by Venetian-style porticoed houses and the towers of Prà Castelvecchio and Largo Salvadorini, which date back to the fourteenth century.
Celebrations, festivals, and fun things to do
In summary, exploring Sacile’s center is similar to turning the pages of a captivating novel that narrates the tale of an opulent and wealthy Venetian Republic. However, the town also hosts year-round events that are rich in regional customs, recount the tale of an intriguing past, and are well-organized.
One of the events not to be missed is the April Bird Fair, which heralds the more well-known Sagra dei Osei, a market-fair featuring farmyard animals and birds that dates back to 1274 and is held on August 15 each year. The chioccolo competition, in which participants mimic the singing of birds, is a must-see.
The antiques market, Sacellum, is held on the fourth Sunday of each month. On the other hand, the “Fotomercato Sacilese” exhibition-exchange, which is devoted to photographic artifacts and books, was started in the 1980s and is held on the third Sunday of April and September. Lastly, throughout December, the Christmas market is very moving. It is set up in the traditional wooden houses and is decked out with lights and ornaments.
What is the best time of the year to visit Sacile?
Given the local environment, it is not unusual for the town of Sacile and the surrounding mountains to be covered with snow, adding to the magical winter mood. The summers are nice and perfect for strolling outside, and the winters are very chilly here. The coldest month is January, when average temperatures vary from -2°C to 7°C, and the warmest month is July, when average temperatures range from 17°C to 28°C. Throughout the year, there is a fair amount of precipitation, although it peaks in June with an average of 171 mm of rain.
How to Get to Sacile
There are several options available to you for getting to Sacile. When driving, one can continue on the SS13 Pontebbana after exiting the A28 or A27 motorways at Sacile or Conegliano, respectively. The closest airports are at Venice and Treviso, which are 68 and 57 kilometers away from Sacile, respectively. For those who would rather go by train, there is the Sacile Centrale stop on the Venice-Udine line.