Valeriano – Culture, Wine and Cycling Route

Valeriano between Fortifications, Church and Wine

Valeriano combines historical landmarks, Friulian wine culture and the FVG 3 cycling route. The medieval Centa di Valeriano fortification is located on a hill near the town centre, while the church of Santa Maria dei Battuti brings together architectural history and painting. Cantina Bulfon is dedicated to old native grape varieties from Friuli.

The Centa di Valeriano and Its Location

The Centa di Valeriano is located on a hill near the town centre. This clearly connects the fortification geographically with the town, without implying anything about its current accessibility. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages: in 1309, the complex was destroyed by Enrico di Prampero and Odorico di Cuccagna during the conquest and looting of the town. For the historical classification of Valeriano, it is therefore not only the name of the fortification that is relevant, but also the recorded connection with a specific event in 1309.

Santa Maria dei Battuti: Architectural History and Painting

The church of Santa Maria dei Battuti provides another historical point of reference. It was built by the Battuti brotherhood of Valeriano before 1300. The church features a stone portal created by Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte. Its archivolt bears the year 1499 and the date 15 May, providing two precise dating details within the building.

The church also contains a signed fresco triptych by Giovanni Antonio de’ Sacchis, known as Il Pordenone, dated 1506. It depicts Saint Valerian, Saint Michael and John the Baptist. The church thus combines the town’s early architectural history with a portal from the late 15th century and a dated work of art from the early 16th century.

Friulian Grape Varieties at Cantina Bulfon

Cantina Bulfon in Valeriano focuses on something else. It has a modern winery, a sales area, a large tasting room and an ethnographic collection. At the same time, it is dedicated to rediscovering several old native grape varieties from Friuli. The grape varieties rediscovered by Cantina Bulfon were added to the National Catalogue of Italian Grape Varieties in 1992. Wine tourists are also explicitly invited to visit Cantina Bulfon’s vineyards and winery and to taste local wines.

Cycling Route and Other Local Landmarks

Valeriano is also included in the FVG 3 cycling route from Pinzano to Casarsa. After one kilometre, this route leads to Valeriano. It is designed as a one-way route and provides for the use of the train. For travel planning, this route format is an important part of the route description, as the FVG 3 is not designed as a circular route but as a connection that includes a planned rail journey.

A little outside Valeriano, in the direction of Lestans, stands the Mulino di Ampiano. This landmark adds another point outside the town to the hill with the Centa and the church described within the town.

More Places for Your Selection

If you would like to consider other places from the same selection in addition to Valeriano, you can find Budoia, Clauzetto, Sacile, Casarsa Della Delizia, Fiume Veneto, Aviano, Pravisdomini and Fontanafredda here.

For the overarching travel overview: Pordenone.