Explore the valleys
The Val Canale, just over twenty kilometers long, stretches beneath the peaks of the Julian and Carnic Alps, at the tri-border area between Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. Historical events and changes have shaped this territory—once part of Carinthia—into a multilingual environment where Slovenian, German, Friulian, and Italian communities coexist. This multilingual context is part of everyday life and a fundamental element of local identity.
The alpine landscape that defines this valley—once known for its widespread alpine pastures—is a major attraction for winter sports enthusiasts, but it also offers excellent opportunities for hiking, trekking, and mountain biking. Not far from the main town, Tarvisio, lie the beautiful Fusine Lakes, nestled in the forest at the foot of Mount Mangart (2677 m).
In the Venetian Palace of Malborghetto, a splendid 17th-century building and one of the most interesting in the valley, is the local Ethnographic Museum, with exhibits covering the history of Val Canale, the Raibl Mine, and the Tarvisio Forest. In Raibl (also known as Cave del Predil), visitors can explore the Mining Tradition Museum, where guided tours take you into the depths of the mountain.
Mount Lussari (1789 m), with its Marian sanctuary—accessible by cable car—has long attracted pilgrims and is also a popular ski destination in winter. Among the local traditions, the celebrations for St. Nicholas are especially well-known, featuring the arrival of the Krampus—his fearsome companions—who frighten adults and children alike in torchlit processions. Other customs are also preserved, such as Easter bonfires (prajtelj) and the guarding of the Holy Sepulchre.