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Regional Park of the Julian pre-alps was set up in 1996. It includes
the municipalities of Chiusaforte, Lusevera, Moggio Udinese, Resia,
Resiutta and Venzone, which are all in the province of Udine. The whole
area, which is completely mountainous, measures about 100 square kilometres.
This pre-alpine territory which extends from the Tagliamento river to
the Slovenian border has become a protected area thanks to its specific
characteristics in terms of nature, landscape and ethnography.
Nature
The park joins two geographically different areas: the Alps and the
Julian Pre-alps. The first contains Mount Canin (2.587 m), including
the peak between the Baba Piccola and the Prevala Pass, the whole Foran
dal Muss plateau, the Bila Pec? and the Ladris peak. The Cochiaze-Guarda,
Plauris-Lavara ridges as well as the Musi chain belong to the Pre-alps.
They consist of long ranges of mountains running parallel from east
to west and sloping down towards the Friuli plain.
The typical geomorphology, vegetation and the fact that human settlements
are limited to the valley bed, provide the area with a high degree of
wilderness and offer the perfect setting for long walks in a wild and
suggestive landscape, often in complete solitude. The huge variety of
fauna and flora come basically from three big bio-geographic areas:
the Mediterranean, the Alpine and the Illyric regions. These species
cannot be easily found anywhere else. The endemic species, the karst
phenomena at high altitude, the springs, the abandoned mines, the dark
beech wood, the rural villages, the livestock, the diversity of colours
in autumn and then steinbocks, chamois, whistlers, all these greatly
contribute to enhance these areas. Besides, they represent an important
point of reference for the different cultures belonging to the Friuli
and Slav regions.
Ethnographic aspects of the Resia valley
The Slav communities of Alta Torre and Resia valleys have maintained
their ancient heritage through customs, music and dances which are not
found anywhere else in the Alps. There are many folk celebrations in
the different towns of the valley, such as the ancient carnival of the
Resia Valley (Püst) where all the participants are dressed in old
and worn-out clothes to look like tramps babaci or kukaci, or wear the
most beautiful and precious traditional white masks, the so-called Te
lipe bile mas?kare.
Ancient celebrations such as the “donation of cheese” or the
“cambio della cameranza”* usually belong to religious ceremonies,
which are enthusiastically accompanied by local music and dances.
The first settlements in the Resia Valley date back to the 7th century
AC, when some Slav populations reached Italy after the Avari and the
Longobards. In the past, Resia was a secluded valley between the Musi
chain to the south, and the imposing Canin rock to the east and to the
north. From the cultural viewpoint, it is a linguistic area with extremely
important traditions, which are studied, even today by many Italian
and foreign researchers. The Resian language derives from the Alpine
Slavonic which is the basis for the Slavonic language spoken today.
The question still remains as to whether it should be considered a dialect
or a language in its own right. Resia is well known for the knife-grinding
craft, which is still carried out in Stolvizza, where the local museum
is dedicated to this ancient activity. The earthquake in 1976 badly
damaged the most typical buildings, however the towns of Coritis and
Stolvizza still have the typical Resian houses with stone walls and
wooden balconies. As we move towards the Canin area, located between
the Italian and the Austrian borders, the variety of ethnographic aspects
is replaced by the significant remains dating back to the First World
War, which had a strong impact on the area.
A project for environmentally friendly tourism aimed at sustainable
development
Today, the Ente Parco is the authority in charge of the safeguard and
promotion of this protected area. In co-operation with the local town
authorities, the Ente Parco aims to protect and maintain the integrity
and vitality of the territory for future generations, as well as set
up the basis for sustainable, social and economic development. One of
its main objectives was to enhance the area by improving its tracks
and facilities. Many refuges, such as Goriuda, Rio Nero, Cjariguart,
Canin have been refurbished and turned into rural hotels for those who
need a stopover point during daily excursions or even longer trekking
itineraries.
During summer it is possible to stop at the Malga Coot, a holiday farm
at the foot of the Babe which is part of a project for the reintroduction
of alpine livestock such as the plezzana sheep and the Resian cow. It
also offers the opportunity for horse riding and trekking. The visitors’
Centre at Prato di Resia provides visitors with many information points
and services. The structure overlooks the charming valley and the north-side
of the Musi chain. Visitors can have more information about the area
through exhibitions set up in dedicated rooms or they can go on a virtual
tour of the area. The visitors’ Centre also offers accommodation
for 20 people. Particularly interesting is the permanent exhibition
“Forests, man, economy”, which is located in the Palazzo Organi
Martina at Venzone. It is dedicated to the woodland and to the related
activities. Some other visitors' centres will be soon set up in the
surrounding areas, for instance at Resiutta (mining activities), at
Sella Nevea (karst areas and speleology) and at Lusevera (protected
areas of the Eastern Alps).
