The experience

Situated on the border with Veneto, in the province of Pordenone, Sesto al Reghena boasts ancient Roman origins, judging by the archaeological finds and the meaning of its place name: Sesto in Latin indicates the military post at the sixth mile of the road that connected Concordia Sagittaria to Austria, Reghena refers instead to the river of the same name that still flows through the town.

Sesto is a small reality, a small village that nonetheless preserves an extraordinary historical testimony: the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis, so called because it was once surrounded by a vast forest.

The history of the Abbey begins in the 8th century by the Lombards, although its present appearance dates from the Romanesque period, when it was transformed into a medieval castle with a defensive system of towers and moats, some traces of which still remain today. In fact, to reach the picturesque small square overlooked by the Basilica, it is necessary to cross a small bridge-a replacement for the ancient drawbridge-and pass under the only remaining keep and then flank the bell tower-an ancient lookout tower dating from around 1050. Also framing the Abbey is a series of ancient buildings embellished with numerous coats of arms, symbols of prestigious noble families.

The ‘interior of the Basilica is in the Romanesque style with three naves and a raised presbytery: listening to ancient Gregorian chants, one can admire splendid 14th-century frescoes executed by painters belonging to the School of Giotto, quadrangular pillars, columns and round arches.

Under the presbytery is the ‘access to the crypt, where the Urn of St. Anastasia, a splendid testimony to 8th-century Lombard art, a wooden Pietà from the ‘ 400s and the Annunciation from the early 14th century are preserved.

Once the visit to the Basilica is over, it will be pleasant to walk in the shade of the trees of the Abbey Park and rest before resuming the itinerary to discover the surroundings of Sesto al Reghena among nature and historical monuments.

Landscapes rich in flora, fauna and resurgence streams typical of the Friulian lowlands can also be traveled by bicycle along the “Literary Routes,” places from which great Italian writers such as Ippolito Nievo and Pier Paolo Pasolini drew inspiration.

Then follow the course of the Reghena canal to the Burovich Meadows, and cross the bridge over the Lemene River to reach the ancient Stalis Mill, a striking place of unexpected beauty.

Continuing in the direction of Cordovado, we reach the literary site par excellence in Friuli, the Venchiaredo Fountain, where Ippolito Nievo and Pier Paolo Pasolini drew inspiration.