The best traffic-free bike rides around Grado

The Belvedere Trabucco is a panoramic viewpoint located in Grado, precisely along the dam that borders the historic center and overlooks the Adriatic Sea. This place takes its name from the "trabucchi", the ancient and ingenious wooden fishing machines typical of the Adriatic coasts, characterized by long arms that support a balance net. Although trabucchi are more famous in Gargano or on the Abruzzo coast, even in Grado these structures have marked the history of lagoon fishing. The belvedere offers a breathtaking view that ranges from the Friulian coasts to the profile of Trieste and Istria on clearer days. It is an unmissable stop for those walking along the seafront promenade, transforming into a magical place at sunset, when the wooden structure of the trabucco stands out like a dark shadow against the bright colors of the sky and water.

The boundary stone is a historical reminder of the turmoil and impact of World War I in this area. Next to the boundary stone is a water station and seating for a short break.

An underpass for pedestrians and cyclists with interesting murals.

The first mention of Torviscosa dates back to 1278, when it was known as Zuino. The surrounding area was rich in water due to numerous springs and threatened to become marshy without proper drainage. The Counts of Savorgnan, who owned these lands from 1344 to 1818, therefore initiated the first land reclamation measures at the end of the 17th century. Only the tower of a medieval castle remained standing on the drained land, which is why the village was renamed Torre di Zuino. Later, other buildings were added, and in 1727 the Church of Santa Maria Assunta was built. Until 1915, the village was the last Italian town before the border with Austria-Hungary, a fact commemorated today by a plaque on the outskirts of the town. The modern industrial city of Torviscosa is a planned city built during the heyday of Italian Fascism. It was founded in 1937 by Franco Marinotti and takes its name from the pre-war era (Torre) and processed textile fibers (Viscosa). The totalitarian regimes that dominated much of Europe in the mid-20th century had a significant impact on urban planning. These regimes founded or rebuilt cities, often drawing on the most modern architectural and urban design projects of the time. The oldest part of the industrial complex comprised buildings for various purposes, all sharing red brick facades. The desire to organize civic life according to the same rules that existed in the factory was translated into a clear separation of residential areas based on occupational categories in the urban planning. The houses of managers, residences for employees and technicians, and housing for factory workers were located in different areas of the main town, while the outskirts of the municipality were reserved for agricultural laborers. ... Even today, the original planning and construction methods are omnipresent in the city and remain largely unchanged. On the city's outskirts, buildings and houses have been erected in a more modern style. In terms of social life, the city resembles a blend of Disneyland, the film A Clockwork Orange, and film studios like Universal Studios. Sources: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fabrikstadt_Torviscosa, https://grado.it/de/reisetipps/umgebung/torviscosa

Porta Cividale in Palmanova - along with Porta Aquileia and Porta Udine, each with their early Baroque outworks, is one of three city gates that provide access to the city through the fortified belt with three rings of fortresses. Palmanova itself was founded on October 7, 1593, as a planned city/fortress with a central square and radial street network in the shape of a nine-pointed star. It was the most important land base and served to protect the Republic of Venice from the Turks. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city lies like a fortress, partially enclosed by a wall. The barracks behind this wall were supposed to be abandoned. A construction site has now been set up for the restoration of the barracks complex.

Beautiful route at the foot of the bastions along the city walls

unspoiled view of the Adriatic Sea