Adriabike 08 - The Marano Lagoon

This stage can be carried out by bike and by boat, it makes its way into the lagoon habitat of Grado and Marano until reaching the seaside resort of Lignano Sabbiadoro. It is a private service and must be booked, with the possibility of embarking at Grado, Terzo di Aquileia (estuaries of the river Ausa), Marano and Lignano Sabbiadoro. Alternatively, the cycling route goes around the Marano lagoon touching on important historical sites. You pass through Aquileia, a magical archaeological site, a rich empire during Roman times and the administrative centre during the X Reign (Venetia et Histria). It took on an important role with the arrival of Christianity, becoming the largest diocese of the whole Middle Ages (Patriarchy of Aquileia). It is a Unesco World Heritage site due to the exceptional value of the enormous archaeological areas and the early Christian mosaics in the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, which represent a fundamental stage in Italian history of art. When you arrive at Cervignano, turn to the west towards Torviscosa, an example of urban rationalism during the fascist period, or go north for 10 kilometres following the cycle path indications. This way you reach the fortress city of Palmanova, a masterpiece of Friuli military architecture thanks to the nine-pointed star shape and the hexagonal central square. At the gates of the town there is the picturesque medieval village Strassoldo which still treasures the Upper and Lower castles and the church of Holy Mary in Vineis. Taking once again the road towards Lignano Sabbiadoro, you pass through reclaimed countryside and come upon the centres of Marano lagoon, Preceicco on the Stella river and ride alongside the edge of the lagoon until reaching the well-known seaside resort.

Conditions: a long stretch of cycling path from Grado to Cervignano, then the route progresses on very light traffic roads