Madrelingua Italiana

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of the 20 regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste. A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is traversed by the major transport routes between the east and west of southern Europe. It encompasses the historical-geographical region of Friuli and a small portion of the historical region of Venezia Giulia (known in English also as Julian March), each with its own distinct history, traditions and identity. In the hilly areas a very specialized viticulture guarantees wines and grappa of high quality. Also the breeding of cattle and swine pigs mainly, supply the renowned hams of San Daniele (Udine). Local craftsmanship can boast products of the highest quality, such as fabrics, carved furniture, wooden sculptures, artistic ceramics, mosaic, wrought iron and copper, string instruments and typical traditional costumes. The tourism industry is developing thanks to a combination of seaside destinations such as Lignano Sabbiadoro (Udine), Grado (Gorizia), Monfalcone and Trieste, with prestigious mountain resorts. The beaches of Lignano and Grado are among the best equipped in Italy. As for the mountain resorts, very attractive for foreign tourists are also the ski resorts in the Friulian Dolomites, the Carnic Prealps and the Julian Alps. Finally, great success is attributable to regional gastronomic routes.