Venzone, a charming medieval village in Friuli Venezia Giulia, is not only renowned for its historical fortifications but also for its stunning lavender project. While lavender is often associated with South of France, Venzone offers its own fragrant version, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an enchanting escape.

With its fragrance, lavender has become the symbol of summer and is ubiquitous on the social media profiles of the most trendy influencers.
But know that you don’t have to travel to Provence to find lavender fields – we have them here too. For example, the lavender of Venzone in Friuli, a beautiful 14th-century village definitely worth visiting and the only village in Friuli Venezia Giulia that has preserved its original fortifications (post-restoration).

The town is currently undergoing the process to become a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The local shops and businesses are incredibly charming, with low ceilings, refined decorations, colorful windows, and ancient doors: it feels like walking through a fairytale village, so perfect that it’s hard to believe the earthquake 40 years ago truly reduced it to rubble!

Strolling through the village

Enrolled in the circuit “The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy,” in 1965 Venzone, was declared a national monument of great historical and artistic interest, in 1991 the European Community declared it the “Ideal Village of Italy” where it is nice to live, and it was named “Borgo dei Borghi” in 2017!
But if I still haven’t persuaded you to stop by, I will now persuade you completely.

This is a town that, in addition to being historically and territorially rich, has been able to create significant tourist and commercial attractions. This village has become very famous for the Lavender Cultivation Project, which has a festival dedicated every summer.

The “Lavender of Venzone” Project

The cultivation and distribution of lavender is part of a project promoted by local businesses. The optimal period for harvesting the flowers and celebrating the village festival takes place between July and August. The cultivation of this specific flower does not require the use of herbicides, thus avoiding chemicals and preserving the land, while providing a perfect habitat for bees, who have always guarded the fields and created a natural soundtrack with their buzzing.

The fields and farms participating in the project are spread across Italy, as are the little shops filled with various lavender-based products.

The Lavender Festival

In Venzone, every August around the 10th, the Lavender Festival is celebrated, a two-day event that fills the village with purple hues. During the festival, stalls offer handcrafted lavender-based products, such as soaps, cosmetics, and candles.

The event is inaugurated with the Grand Gala by candlelight, accompanied by parades, lavender-decorated floats, and market stalls. The festival also features creative workshops, lavender threshing competitions, and informative sessions about the plant and its uses. Local restaurants offer themed dishes, providing a complete experience for lovers of the fragrant flower and shopping enthusiasts.

Starting from Palazzo della Lavanda, with distilleries and purple little houses set up for refreshments, the “places of lavender” are truly numerous.

If you’re passionate about travel and wellness, not far from Venzone, in Arta Terme, a prominent thermal resort in the Carnic Alps, a special lavender wellness path has been designed, combining the therapeutic benefits of the spring thermal waters with those of the flower.

For more information about tourist activities, I invite you to consult the Official tourism website for all the details on events, festivals, and the many attractions of the town.

The 1976 Earthquake

Today, Venzone stands as one of the most charming villages in Friuli Venezia Giulia. However, its recent history is marked by the devastating earthquake of 1976, which struck the region hard.

The seismic event destroyed many of Venzone’s historic structures, including its famous city walls. Despite the severity of the damage, the local community and authorities worked tirelessly to rebuild the town, preserving its architectural authenticity and historical charm.

Today, Venzone is an extraordinary example of resilience, with its reconstructed historic center attracting tourists from around the world.

What to visit near Venzone

Don’t miss the fantastic village of Fagagna, the city of storks, where the annual “donkey race” takes place each year, or Colloredo di Monte Albano with its magnificent Castle, and San Daniele del Friuli, the city of one of Italy’s most delicious hams!

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