Gemona del Friuli

Gemona, lying at the foot of the Julian Prealps, is one of the loveliest historic beauty spots in Friuli Venezia Giulia.

The town, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1976, has become one of the main symbols of the rebirth of the region.

The outstanding feature is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, with its Romanesque Gothic architecture, which appears in all its glory as you approach from Via Bini, a street lined with fine palaces restored to their original style with the bringing to light of a number of splendid frescoes. One of these palaces is the particularly lovely Palazzo Elti, location of the Civic Museum.

Of special interest in Gemona is the Friuli Film Library, with its rare collection of film and iconographic material.

Not to be missed: the Gemona water museum, featuring the 17th century Cocconi Mill and the lakes, streams, waterways and wash-houses of the area.

Every year in Gemona, from the end of July to the middle of August, there is the Medieval August festival, in which the streets are literally invaded by characters and events reminiscent of the Middle Ages.

And then, on the 6th of January, there is the Tallero Epiphany, a richly symbolic traditional ceremony of Medieval origin.