Located at the junction of the Tagliamento River and the Bût Stream, Tolmezzo is a historic town believed to have been built atop a pre-Roman settlement. It was once located on a Roman trade route that connected Italy and Austria, with its long-ruined defensive walls marked by 18 towers and a fortified castle.
Things to do in Tolmezzo
In the heart of Tolmezzo is the Cathedral of San Martino, an 18th-century house of worship fronted by four soaring columns. Its lavishly decorated interior includes magnificent chandeliers, a painted ceiling and a beautiful pipe organ. In addition to Catholic Mass, classical music concerts regularly take place within the cathedral.
Occupying a well-preserved palazzo is the Carnico Museum of Popular Arts “Michele Gortani”, which explores rural and cultural life in Carnia from the 14th century. Set across three floors, it showcases more than 4,000 objects that range from musical instruments to antique irons and cooking vessels. As you explore the museum, you can learn about trades in times gone by and the traditional customs that are still alive in Carnia today.
On the other side of the Tagliamento River is the Art Park Verzegnis, which features contemporary works by Mario Merz, Richard Long and Giuseppe Penone. Many of the outdoor sculptures are minimalist in their design, with natural materials and geometric shapes featured predominantly. Combine your visit with a stop at Lago di Verzegnis to see turquoise waters beautifully framed by the summit of Monte Verzegnis.
Getting around Tolmezzo
Tolmezzo is around 35 minutes’ drive from Udine and an hour from Trieste Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe. Regular buses connect to Tolmezzo and the town is compact enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the area.