The Lagoon of Marano
The fishermen's casoni
Between the mouth of the Tagliamento and that of the Isonzo, the lagoon of Marano and Grado is a vast expanse of shallow water, canals, sandbanks, salt marshes and small islands, separated from the open sea by a chain of sandy islands, one of the best preserved lagoons of the Adriatic, much wilder and less built-up than that of Venice. In its western part, Marano Lagunare is a small, authentic fishing village, built on the shore of the lagoon, with a picturesque harbour full of fishing boats, a square overlooked by the Torre Millenaria, the ancient bell tower that is the symbol of the town, and lanes of colourful houses. The village lives on fishing, and in its trattorias you can taste the fish and shellfish of the lagoon, such as eel, sea bass, gilthead bream, clams and the typical "boreto".
The lagoon is dotted with casoni, the traditional huts of the fishermen, built of wood and reeds, with a pointed thatched roof, on the islets of the lagoon, where once fishermen lived for long periods during the fishing season; some are still used, and others have been restored and can be visited on boat excursions departing from Marano. The lagoon is also a paradise for birds, protected by two nature reserves, the Riserva Naturale delle Foci dello Stella, a delta of reed beds and canals at the mouth of the Stella river, and the Riserva Naturale della Valle Canal Novo, a former fish farm transformed into an oasis with trails and observation huts, near the village. In spring and autumn, herons, egrets, cormorants and many waterfowl can be observed.
Tip: take a boat excursion among the casoni and the Foci dello Stella; have a fish lunch in a trattoria in Marano.
Where it is
More things to see in Friuli Venezia Giulia
Where to stay near Marano Lagunare
Tours and activities nearby
Offers from GetYourGuide. Some links are affiliate links: if you book we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.