Welcome to
Gorgazzo
(Comune di
Polcenigo)
by Gloria
Buoncristiano-Thai
Population:
under 1000
Official website:
Polcenigo
Wikipedia:
n/a
Map:
MapQuest
Gorgazzo is a must see stop in the
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region of Italy.
This charming hamlet makes for a quiet and
peaceful sojourn along one’s travels of
Northern Italy. Not difficult to find, it
is located just off the pedemontana,
or
“mountain highway” as
many
Americans living
in the area refer to it. This hamlet is
famous for its springs, one of the sources
of the Livenza River that flows through
Friuli and Veneto eventually emptying into
the Adriatic Sea.
The springs of Gorgazzo are a site to
behold. They have been called, “delizia e
tormento di moti pittori,” as they are
both a delight and a torment to paint
because of their ever-changing colors from
the rays of the sun. Italian geographer,
Giovanni Marinelli (1846-1900), must have
been awe inspired by the beauty of the
springs as he penned these poetic words
while studying the Gorgazzo.
“Take the emerald color, the turquoise
and the beryl ones, put them into a sea of
lapis-lazuli, so that everything mixes and
at the same time each of them keeps its
own originality and you have that one
piece of liquid sky that is called Gorgazzo.”
Geologically speaking, water erosion and
tectonic discontinuity created the hollow
(el buso) of the springs. The surface
pond was created from the collapse of a
vault under the thrust of water. Although
there are many hypotheses, the exact
source of the Gorgazzo still remains a
mystery.
Not far beneath the surface is the
opening to a cave. Divers have traveled
as far as 131 meters along this very
narrow and curvy tunnel, and they still
have yet to reach the end. Unfortunately,
some of these underwater explorations have
proved fatal, and so this cave has been
closed to diving since 1999. Today,
approximately seventeen meters under the
surface at the opening of the cave is a
guardian, a statue of the Christ. At
Christmas, the Christ is alighted, and
there is a beautiful mass with divers.
There are stairs leading down to the
springs at various points along the
stream. Visitors will surely enjoy
removing their shoes as they descend the
steps to dip their feet in the cool water
on a hot day. For those couples wishing
to experience the romance that is Italy,
it is a pleasant feeling to have your feet
washed by the one you love in the springs
of the Gorgazzo.
For visitors traveling around Italy with
kids, this is a place for families.
Children will enjoy feeding the fish and
the ducks that swim in the “cielo liquido.”
The restaurants here offer delicious, yet
affordable meals, and they have a play
area for young children as well. This
added benefit allows time for mom and dad
to reconnect over a delicious meal that
can be leisurely enjoyed while their
children are happily playing. In the
evenings, travelers will enjoy sipping
their glasses of wine while listening to
the music of a live band.
Couples and families alike will enjoy
taking a stroll through the hamlet that is Gorgazzo. |
