Prata Di Pordenone – Villas, Churches and the Meduna

Prata di Pordenone combines the history of villas and churches with memories of emigration, a long-standing sagra and cycling along the Meduna. You can choose different focal points for your trip: architecture and art lead to individual buildings and works of art, while the Sagra dea Quaia and Marcia delle Rose provide a reason to include event dates in your plans.

Villas and parks

Villa Brunetta was built between 1780 and 1800 by the Brunetta family, who came from Prata. The villa is privately used. Its park is characterised by straight paths in an orthogonal layout; avenues bordered by hedges, lawns and freestanding mature trees structure the grounds. An artificial pond in the southern part of the park is home to numerous water birds. The layout of the paths, open spaces, avenues and pond give an impression of the park’s design.

Villa Memmo Brunetta is in the centre of Prata di Sotto, next to the church. At the end of the 16th century, it passed by inheritance from the Gonzardi family to the Memmo family. The two villa names represent different histories: Villa Brunetta is associated with its construction by the Brunetta family from Prata; Villa Memmo Brunetta’s historical connection is its later inheritance by the Memmo family.

Churches and medieval art

The Chiesa dei Santi Simone e Giuda Taddeo is mentioned in the will of Guecello II di Prata, dated 7 August 1262. San Giovanni dei Cavalieri was part of a hospice run by the Knights Hospitaller of Jerusalem and was built in the first half of the 13th century, probably at the instigation of the same Guecello.

San Giovanni dei Cavalieri preserves valuable examples of Gothic sculpture in Friuli. These include 14th-century tomb slabs depicting the priests Giacomo da Prata (1330) and Bonaccorso (1337), as well as the tomb arcade of Pileo da Prata (1325). The names and dates give the works of art a specific historical context. Together with the history of the hospice and the period of construction, they trace a broad arc through the church’s medieval history.

Museum and festival traditions

The Museo della Miniera di Prata is in the centre of Prata. It commemorates the work of many local residents who emigrated, particularly to Belgium. As well as the buildings, it also brings the working and emigration history of the people of Prata into focus.

The Sagra dea Quaia has been a tradition in Prata for more than 50 years. It follows a recurring schedule, beginning on the second Thursday in July and lasting eleven days. If you would like to plan your trip around the sagra, check the dates for the relevant year.

Cycling and events

The “Livenza and Meduna Rivers Ring” cycle route (R057) leads to Prata di Pordenone. There, cyclists can ride along the Meduna and see it up close. Cycling by the river offers a different focus from the history of the villas and churches.

At the Marcia delle Rose, both the six-kilometre and twelve-kilometre routes start at Piazza Wanda Meyer in Prata. The sagra lasts eleven days and recurs in July; the Marcia delle Rose offers two route lengths with the same starting point. If you would like to plan your trip around either event, check the latest dates in advance.

Discover more destinations: Ghirano, Barcis, Budoia, Cimolais, Vivaro, Sequals, Zoppola, Pinzano Al Tagliamento.

For the main travel overview: Pordenone.