Welcome to Maniago
by Lara Candido
From Jesse's Journeys in Italy
Population: 11,471 (2004
census)
Official website:
Maniago
Wikipedia:
Maniago
Map:
MapQuest
Set against a stunning backdrop
of the Italian pre-Alps, the
town and district of Maniago is
internationally renowned for its
proud tradition in metalworking,
as well as being characterised
by its natural, cultural and
geographical assets. A ninety
minute drive north east from Marco
Polo airport, an hour drive
north from Adriatic beach
resorts and an hour drive west
from Friuli’s capital Udine,
makes clear why Maniago is
unaffected by commercial
tourism. This taste of true
northern Italy is appreciated by
Italians, a few central European
sightseers (usually en route to
the Adriatic coast) and
‘Britalians’ visiting friends
and family.
Maniago town centre boasts an
array of boutiques, restaurants,
bars, monuments, churches and
gelateria cafes, serving
ice-cream and sweets that are “propria
produzione” ('our own make'). In
the evenings, people dine al
fresco and indulge in gelati,
vino and cappuccino as they
watch the sun set behind the
mountains. Locally produced
metal crafts – ranging from
knives and cutlery to tweezers –
are available to buy, along with
equally well-crafted
presentation boxes.
As Italy’s cutlery capital, the
town has even sold steelwork to
Sheffield, England, ironically
deemed “the city of steel”. With
convenient banking and
multi-lingual cash-points, there
is no problem buying that last
minute bargain or that must-have
gift. On Monday mornings the
market provides a vast range of
goods, anything from seasonal
local produce to specialist
items –such as ski and hiking
equipment. Throughout the
summer, there are various
feasts, craft fairs and
festivals, where visitors are
always made welcome.
Maniago is a part of the
Friuli-Venezia Giulia province
in north-east Italy, a region
largely governed by its own
special autonomous status. The
area is an integral part of
national Italian heritage but
with a proud stamp of local
identity; in particular, the
promotion of the local dialect:
‘Friulan’ – Friulan being
Friulan for the Italian ‘Friulano’.
This vernacular is influenced by
the neighbouring languages:
including Venetian, Slovenian
and Austrian. In this way, the
region has a cultural uniqueness
that blends middle Europe with
the Mediterranean, whilst
retaining its ethnicity and own
identity with Italy.
A trip away from Maniago town
centre and up the awesome
mountain roads leads to a
destination favoured by the
locals: Lago di Barcis. The lake
is a hot-spot for relaxation,
water sports, mountain biking,
walking, site seeing, souvenir
shopping and even a ski resort
in the winter months. The area
also has a camping site which
caters for families and back
packers alike. Barcis epitomises
why Friuli is recognised at a
European level for successfully
maintaining its biodiversity in
the list of “Nature Areas 2000”.
It was referred to as a “site of
community importance”. In
addition, a Dam has also been
built to provide renewable
energy for Maniago and its
neighbours and to help sustain
the area’s rare natural beauty.
Whilst staying in Maniago, it is
also worth venturing out into
the rest of the province. The
military base in Aviano is home
to the town’s American
community, complete with
hamburger diners and thick
milkshakes. Further west is
Udine, with the Udine Mall
situated on its outskirts; a
one-stop shop for essentials and
non-essentials alike, along with
an ‘around the world’ food
court. The city of Udine itself
is filled with history, culture
and designer shops. North of
Maniago is Piancavallo (in
winter a ski resort). To the
south, on the Adriatic coast,
are the Lignano and Carole
beaches. As in most Italian
holiday haunts, part of the
beaches are privately-owned, so
expect to pay. Head east from
Maniago and enter one of the
great wonders of the world:
Venice.
Travelling by car is ideal for
touring the area, although
train, coach and/or bus are also
very accessible. Maniago coach
and train stations are found at
the edge of the town centre,
with direct lines to major
cities and coastal resorts. The
district also has quality four
and five star hotels, near Lago
di Barcis and other mountain
resorts, as well as in central
Maniago.
The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region
is a playground of everything
expected from a holiday in
Italy, and Maniago is at the
very heart of it.
by Lara Candido, May 06, 2007 |
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