San Vito al Tagliamento is an important economic and cultural hub in Friuli Venezia Giulia. It’s named after Saint Vitus, who tended to be associated with fords or the routes of rivers, and indeed it’s found on the right bank of the Tagliamento.
The people of the town are called “Sanvitesi” and they speak not only Italian but also a western version of the Friulian language. Friuli is a region where people are very attached to their roots, traditions, culture and language and in many places the road signs show the name of the town in both Italian and Friulian.
San Vito al Tagliamento is part of “Terre Tagliamento”: a group of eight municipalities on the west bank of the great Tagliamento river, which serves as a liquid boundary between water and land, nature and cultural treasures, and the Veneto and Friulian languages. It’s a wonderful part of the world that we highly recommend visiting at least once.
The history of San Vito al Tagliamento
Although traces of human settlement dating back to ancient and Roman times have been found on the bed of the river (which has changed so much over the centuries), the origins of the current town can be said to lie in a diploma in which Otto II, the Holy Roman Emperor, granted Rodoald – the patriarch of Aquileia –two fortified “courts” and the surrounding land.
The castle was expanded by the patriarchs of Aquileia, who had temporal power.One particularly active patriarch on this front was Raimondo della Torre, who had the Raimonda and Scaramuccia towers built.
A weekly market was started in 1341, initially on Sundays. It was subsequently switched to Fridays and moved inside the town walls.
In 1420, Venice conquered this area of Friuli but left the Patriarch of Aquileia temporal power over San Vito. A number of public and private constructions were subsequently built, leading to an increase in population.
The bell tower, town hall loggia, Church of San Lorenzo, Palazzo Rota and Church of Santa Maria dei Battuti were all built in the late 15th century, which is also when the central square took on its current form.
San Vito-born Pietro Cristofoli joined Garibaldi’s Expedition of the Thousand in 1860. San Vito subsequently became part of the newly unified Italy in 1866. For decades, it remained a large agricultural town controlled by conservative aristocrats. Unfortunately, over the years they let San Vito lose its predominance over Pordenone, which was beginning to industrialize.
The town suffered huge amounts of destruction during the First and Second World Wars. San Vito was liberated from the Fascist regime on 30 April 1945, after two days of fighting between partisans and German troops.
San Vito and its Ponterosso industrial park are now home to a considerable number of industrial businesses operating in fields ranging from precision mechanics and component manufacturing to food and glass production.
San Vito al Tagliamento: what to see
Although it isn’t as famous as other nearby towns and cities, a number of little treasures can be found in this small but charming place in the province of Pordenone, so we highly recommend spending a morning or afternoon exploring it. Keep reading to find out about some beautiful spots to visit.
Piazza del Popolo and the towers
The heart of the town is in the large Piazza del Popolo, between two entrance towers: the Raimonda Tower, which is home to the Museum of Archaeology, history and art, and the Scaramuccia Tower, where temporary exhibitions are sometimes held. It’s worth climbing to the top of the Scaramuccia Tower to enjoy stunning views of the town from an original perspective. If you want to go up it, you need to ask the staff at the info point at 13 Piazza del Popolo (Email: iat@sanvitoaltagliamento.fvg.it – Telephone: +39 0434843030).
The cathedral and bell tower
Also looking out over the square is the Cathedral, which is dedicated to Saints Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia. It was built in the 14th century and subsequently expanded. Inside are important frescoes by Pomponio Amalteo and Andrea Bellunello, while reaching to the sky alongside the cathedral is the 78 metre bell tower.
The public loggia and the old Giangiacomo Arrigoni theatre
If you stand facing the cathedral, on the right side of the square you’ll see the old Loggia where the people of the town once gathered to trade and socialize. Today, it provides access to the Venetian-style “Giangiacomo Arrigoni” theatre. At the tourist information centre in the loggia, you can arrange for a local guide to take you around the theatre.
Palazzo Rota: the town hall
On the opposite side of the square is Palazzo Rota, which now serves as the town hall. There are numerous trees, shrubs, bushes, flowers and fountains in its beautiful garden, which is always open to the public.
San Vito al Tagliamento Castle
Nowadays, San Vito Castle looks more like an aristocratic residence, but it was originally built before the 13th century as a defensive stronghold circled by walls. The castle complex brings together various buildings that still have magnificent frescoes on both the inside and outside walls. A large number of works are on display in the Town Museum inside the castle. If you’d like to visit the castle, ask at the tourist information centre.
Visit the Church of Santa Maria dei Battuti
Just around the corner from the castle is the Church of Santa Maria dei Battuti, an artistic treasure trove where you can see marvellous frescoes by Pomponio Amalteo. The name of the church means “Saint Mary of the Beaten” and it is a reference to friars who used to atone for their sins through flagellation.
San Vito al Tagliamento market
If you’d like to look around the weekly market in San Vito al Tagliamento, head to Piazza del Popolo between 8:00 am and 1:00 pm on a Friday. As well as fruit and vegetables, you’ll find other types of food, clothing, a variety of products from the surrounding area and items of local cuisine. It’s a great place to mingle with people from the town and pick up some souvenirs to take home for yourself or others.
Where to eat in San Vito al Tagliamento
If you’ve been looking around the town or wandering among the stalls at the weekly market, there’s a good chance you’ll have worked up an appetite. Whether you prefer the classics or you’d like something original but still tasty, we’ve put together a list of great places to eat.
Enoteca Bottegon
The staff are very friendly and helpful in this gorgeous spot at 49 Piazza del Popolo in San Vito – Tel. +39 0434 084470.
It’s a fabulous choice for sliced steak or aperitifs with local deli meats and cheese, accompanied by an outstanding glass of wine. We highly recommend it if you’re looking for either cooked or raw meat dishes, served with delicious grilled vegetables.
Sherlock Holmes Bar and Pub
This pub has been here for years and the people who run it are real pros. There’s an Irish feel to the relaxing atmosphere. It’s at 23 Via del Mercato in San Vito al Tagliamento – Tel. +39 347 1614043.
The exceptional food is impeccably served and there’s a vast range of delicious beers. We recommend the mouth-watering panini, club sandwiches and toasted sandwiches.
Luna Nuova Restaurant and Pizzeria
This restaurant and pizzeria at 6 Via Isonzo in San Vito al Tagliamento – Tel. +39 0434 833914 – serves amazing pizza that you can enjoy with chilled bottled or draught beer. The dishes from the restaurant menu are simple but stunning and the dedicated service from the friendly staff makes for a delightful experience.
Osteria Al Rustico
You can find this osteria at 4 Piazza Centrale in San Vito Al Tagliamento – Tel. +39 0434 834209.
It’s a welcoming place where the serving staff are quick but courteous and the dishes are made with premium ingredients. The selection includes impeccably prepared game that melts in the mouth and absolutely delicious desserts that it would be a real shame not to try.
Divino Restaurant and Pizzeria
This restaurant and pizzeria is at 9 Piazzale Taliano Linteris in San Vito al Tagliamento, between the hospital and the train station – Tel. +39 0434 81903.
If you’re looking for incredible pizza that’s easily digestible and cooked in a wood-fired oven, you’re in the right place. The masterfully prepared fish and meat are also exceptional, as is the friendly, courteous service.
How to get to San Vito al Tagliamento
Using your sat nav, it’s very easy to get to San Vito al Tagliamento from our local beach resorts by car. Take the town of Portogruaro as a reference point. It’s about 45 km from Jesolo and 30 km from Bibione and Caorle. Once your sat nav gets you to Portogruaro, you can either take the toll-free A28 motorway, exit at Villotta and then continue towards San Vito al Tagliamento on the SP1 provincial road, or avoid the A28 and take the SR463 regional road via Cordovado and Ramuscello. Whichever way you go, the journey from Portogruaro takes around 20 minutes.
You can also travel to San Vito al Tagliamento from Portogruaro by train. It takes roughly 25 minutes and there are a number of trains every day. So why not take a trip to see this little old town and savour its wealth of history, art and traditions?
If you want to keep up with all the latest news like this, stay tuned to the Agenzia Lampo blog, where you’ll find stories and in-depth posts about all sorts of things in Veneto and Friuli.
