Carnia is a historical-geographical region in the province of Udine, located in the northeastern part of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Carnia is known for its mountainous landscapes and rich cultural traditions. It is an area comprising a large part of the Italian Carnic Alps with its alpine valleys and municipalities, and is characterized by a great variety of natural environments such as forests, meadows, lakes, rivers and valleys. Moreover, Carnia is best known for its peaks, such as Mount Zoncolan, which reaches an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level.

Inhabited for millennia by a people that has never lost its pride, Carnia preserves among its mountains a peculiar cultural and religious heritage, represented by Roman archaeological remains and typical rural villages, small parishes and Celtic rites.

Here you will find a wealth of activities, from hiking and mountain biking to tasting local products. Also, if you are a history buff, you cannot miss the many reminders of the past in Carnia, from medieval fortifications to historic churches and its villages. In short, Carnia is an ideal destination for those who want to discover an area rich in history and tradition, but also in fun and adventure.

The villages of Carnia

An area rich in ancient, picturesque and charming villages. The main center and administrative capital of Carnia is Tolmezzo.
Among the most beautiful villages in Carnia are: Sauris, made known for its characteristic wooden houses and its culinary productions such as PGI Ham, Speck and Zahre Beer craft beer.
The village of Sappada, rich in historical and naturalistic peculiarities that are intertwined with authentic mountain traditions, customs and values.
Forni di Sopra, considered the main mountain tourist hub in Friuli-Venezia Giulia for its accommodations. What makes this village very charming is its historic center, whose houses (once used as dwellings and barns) are characterized in the lower part by stone, the upper part by wood and with the presence of external stairs and balconies.

Situated in the middle of Carnia, the small and ancient village of Ravascletto is distinguished above all by the Carnic architecture of its hamlets. In addition to several fascinating examples of architecture and religious buildings, Ravascletto boasts an enormous natural heritage. A high percentage of the territory is wooded, with the spruce giving the landscape a very special and striking image in the winter season.

The villages of Carnia represent a unique cultural heritage and landscape, worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. Most of these villages also offer tourist attractions, such as museums, art galleries, hiking trails and more. In addition, many of them hold cultural events throughout the year, such as festivals, concerts, exhibitions and displays. In short, the villages of Carnia are a true paradise for lovers of art, history and culture.

Visiting the territory

A perfect place to spend a relaxing and adventurous vacation. There are six main valleys found in Carnia, each of which is crossed by a stream from which they take their name: Val Tagliamento, Val Degano or Canale di Gorto, Val Pesarina, Valcalda, Valle del But or Canale di San Pietro, and Val Chiarsò. Each of them and the streams of the same name flow into the valley floor in Tolmezzo, the main center of Carnia.
Carnia boasts many natural riches; forests are very extensive, consisting mostly of fir, beech and larch. Here one encounters 2,000 plant species, a thousand types of mushroom and many types of orchids. A vegetation that changes as the altitude increases.

There are two protected natural areas found in Carnia: the Friulian Dolomites Nature Park, based in Forni di Sopra; and the Carnic Hills Intermunicipal Park, based in Villa Santina.

Not only flora, Carnia’s fauna is characterized by the presence of bears, European lynx, wolves, wild cats, ibex, deer, roe deer, chamois, badgers, black grouse, mountain francolins, stoats and marmots.

Local products

Going to discover Carnia, you cannot miss its typical cuisine characterized by great goodness typical products.
Among the typical products of Carnia, Prosciutto di Sauris IGP is the undisputed king of the area. When cut, it has a uniform pinkish-red color, a delicate aroma and a sweet taste with a pleasant smoky note.

Among the best-known dishes to enjoy is definitely frico, a pie filled with cheese, potatoes and onion, recognized among the traditional food products of Friuli and Giulia (P.A.T). Every year, the long-awaited Carpacco Frico Festival is unfailing.

Also not to be missed are cjarsons, a typical Carnia dish similar to agnolotti but with a filling that varies from sweet to savory. They may contain raisins, dark chocolate or cocoa, cinnamon, spinach, chives, ricotta, jam, rum, grappa, parsley, dry cookies, eggs, and milk.

Given its morphology rich in forests and verdant valleys, Carnia’s soil lends itself to the cultivation of fruits, from underbrush fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, to apples.