Comeglians: Churches, Traditions and Trails

Comeglians can be explored through specific cultural and landscape themes. Churches, chapels and historic hamlets are at the heart of the village, alongside the fire tradition of “das cidulas”, which is still practised today. Trails connect Comeglians with hamlets in the municipality, while the Panoramica delle Vette leads from Tualis towards Monte Crostis. The options range from a walk to a named destination to routes linked to the surrounding villages and heights.

Churches and historic hamlets

The parish church of San Giorgio stands on a rocky outcrop overlooking the village and much of the Canale di Gorto. It is also the destination of the “cleva” walking trail from Comeglians. The Gothic chapel of San Nicolò contains 15th-century frescoes. Another specific testimony is an inscription in the church of San Vincenzo martire in Comeglians: it is on the lintel of a niche to the left of the entrance and bears the date 1864. The historic hamlets, with buildings such as Cjase Boter and Palazzo Di Gleria, are also part of Comeglians’ architectural heritage.

Cultural trails and art in the municipality

Beyond the village, a cultural trail passes through the municipal localities of Povolaro and Maranzanis and continues to the church of San Floreano. Typical 17th- and 18th-century Carnian building styles are made accessible to visitors there through the Albergo Diffuso. San Floreano is home to an important wooden altarpiece by Michael Path dating from 1541, other paintings and an Art Nouveau altarpiece by Giuseppe Da Pozzo. The trail thus links the historic architecture of the villages with artworks in the church.

Artworks and expressions of faith have also been preserved in the hamlets of Mieli and Tualis. In Mieli, the votive chapel of San Leonardo preserves 16th-century frescoes by Lorenzo Paulitti of Ampezzo. In Tualis, the church of San Vincenzo contains two noteworthy wooden sculptures by Michael Parth as well as popular votive offerings.

Das cidulas and village life

A distinct cultural highlight is “das cidulas”, a fire tradition that is still practised in Comeglians. After dark, glowing wooden discs are thrown into the night and dedicated to actual or hoped-for couples. The ritual is organised by the village’s unmarried men and celebrates the community’s unity and solidarity. 6 January is the date associated with the tradition in Comeglians.

Walking trails, hikes and cycling route

A network of walking trails in the lower part of the municipality connects Comeglians, Maranzanis and Povolaro. By contrast, the “cleva” has a specific destination: the parish church of San Giorgio. For travellers interested in cycling, the Panoramica delle Vette offers a different route: it starts in the hamlet of Tualis, climbs the southern slope of Monte Crostis and reaches an altitude of 1,900 metres. The route is popular with cyclists. As road conditions can change, check them before planning your trip.

Getting to Comeglians

By car, the route from the Carnia motorway exit to Comeglians passes through Tolmezzo, Villa Santina and Ovaro. By public transport, the journey involves Udine railway station and buses from Udine to Tolmezzo and from Tolmezzo to Comeglians. Check the timetables before travelling so you can plan your journey accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Passariano, Flaibano, Caporiacco, Pocenia, Ampezzo, Lestizza, Codroipo, Venzone.

For the overview of the wider area: Udine.