Grado: a unique land
Grado, also known as Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Island of Sun, so called because all its beaches face south – unlike most of the seaside resorts on the Adriatic – and, therefore, the sun, celebrated, in 2022, the 130th anniversary of its conferment, by Emperor Franz Joseph,of the title of the title of ‘Imperial spa’.
The ancient Romans, on the other hand, called it ‘Gradus’, or ‘seaport’, an integral part of the port system of Aquileia, capital of the tenth region of Augustan Rome and, later, a major ecclesiastical centre of Christianity.
The Grado lagoon, with its picturesque Casoni (fishermen’s huts), inspired Ernest Hemingway for his novel ‘Across the River and Into the Trees’, and Pier Paolo Pasolini was also intrigued by the Grado lagoon, so much so that, in 1969, he decided to film some scenes of ‘Medea’ there.
This little information is already enough to say that Grado is a unique land, where nature, history and culture have influenced both the area and a people that have so much to offer to visitors.
Exploring Grado and its area is an experience you will never forget.
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Discover Grado
With its narrow streets and alleyways, the old town of Grado resembles a miniature Venice. A fascinating tangle of streets where to get lost to discover new and picturesque corners.
The town and its surroundings, enveloped by unspoilt nature, can be visited on foot, by bike or by boat. Connected to the mainland by the very long Matteotti bridge, Grado could once only be reached by boat. This is why the nature and atmosphere of the lagoon have not changed over time.
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By boat
You can reach the Casoni (fishermen's huts) in the lagoon to eat fresh seafood, or the small island of Barbana where one of the oldest Marian shrines in the world is located. These are just two of the typical boat tours you can take in Grado.
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By bicycle
Cycling along the lagoon you can reach Cona Island, the Foce dell'Isonzo nature reserve, a paradise for birdwatchers and lovers of unspoilt nature, where you can also see Camargue horses up close.
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If it is not a sunny day
If the sky is grey or you just want to get away from the beach and nature for a day, Aquileia, one of the largest and richest cities of the Roman Empire and today one of the most important archaeological sites in northern Italy, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is just a few kilometres from Grado.