Precenicco: Buildings, History and Cycling Routes

Precenicco brings together historical sites, cycling routes along the Stella and the Bando di Sotto woodland. If you’re looking for a hotel in Precenicco, these highlights can help you plan your trip: are you particularly interested in buildings and ancient history, or are cycling routes along the Stella your main focus?

Buildings and historical connections

The Canevòn is 16.50 metres wide, 76.80 metres long and 9 metres high. It was built between 1792 and 1794 by Antonio Cassis Faraone, Count of Precenicco, and has always served as a granary. Its length is nearly five times its width; together with its height, these measurements give a sense of the scale of this storage building.

Precenicco has two distinct connections to the history of pilgrimage. A group of the Teutonic Order was founded here in the 13th century and helped German pilgrims travel from the port of Latisana to the Holy Land. In Titiano, the oldest part of the municipality, a building for pilgrims travelling from Aquileia to the area known as Noricum already existed in Roman times. The chronology distinguishes the two connections: the pilgrims’ building dates to Roman times, while the group was founded in the 13th century.

The rectangular hall in Precenicco was also built by Teutonic Knights, who administered the river port. The fort at Precenicco provides another point of reference in time: architect Rocchi designed it in 1910. As it was not involved in any fighting during the First World War, it remains well preserved to this day. Unlike the Canevòn, the fort is notable for its design date and state of preservation, while the granary is notable for its construction period and grain-storage function.

Bando di Sotto and the lowland woodland

Bando di Sotto covers about 10 hectares and is a remnant of the lowland woodlands of the Bassa Friulana. It preserves part of the ancient lowland forest of Silva lupanica, which once covered the plain between the Livenza and Isonzo rivers in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The two names refer to different scales: Bando di Sotto denotes the surviving remnant, while Silva lupanica refers to the former forest that extended across the plain.

Cycling routes along the Stella and through the lagoon

Cyclists can distinguish between two routes by their itineraries. In Precenicco, the Ring of Two Rivers cycle route (R044) follows the Stella almost to its mouth. It then follows the bends in the river and passes through several sections of the lagoon on its way back towards Lignano. The Anello Lignano - Marano Lagunare con ritorno via mare cycle route (R027) also passes through Precenicco and follows the Stella. On the return journey to Lignano Sabbiadoro, it uses the Marano Lagoon.

During the summer months, R027 becomes a circular route when the BICI + BARCA service is running. One concrete difference between the routes is the return journey: R044 follows the river bends and passes through several sections of the lagoon, while R027 takes in the Marano Lagoon and becomes a circular route when the service is running. Before planning your trip, check whether BICI + BARCA is operating on your chosen date.

Another useful point of reference is the Stella Cycle Circuit (R024), which guides cyclists from Latisana railway station towards Precenicco.

Discover more destinations: Pulfero, Valbruna, Lusevera, Castelmonte, Sottoselva, Tissano, Tricesimo, Mortegliano.

For the broader travel overview: Udine.