Grado

Introducing Grado

The beach resort of Grado, 14km south of Aquileia, spreads along a narrow island backed by lagoons. Its charming medieval centre, crisscrossed by narrow calli (lanes), is dominated by the Romanesque Basilica di Sant’Eufemia (Campo dei Parriarchi) and the nearby remains of a 4th- to 5th-century church mosaic (Piazza Biagio Marin). Belle époque mansions, beach huts and thermal baths line the cheerful beachfront. From October to April, the place is dead.

Small casoni (reed huts), built for fishermen during winter, dot the tiny islands surrounding Grado. In summer some can be visited by boat (2½ hours, adult/child €15/8); the tourist office (0431 87 71 11; www.gradoturismo.info in Italian; Viale Dante Alighieri 72; 9am-1pm & 3-6pm) has details. Many of the islands are protected nature reserves and off limits.

On the first Sunday in July, a votive procession, with a statue of the Virgin Mary on board, sails from Grado to the Santuario di Barbana (0431 8 04 53), an 8th-century church on a lagoon island. Grado fishermen have done this since 1237 when the Madonna of Barbana saved their town from the plague. Boats link the sanctuary with Grado (adult/child return €4/2.50, three to eight times daily from April to October, and twice daily on Sunday from November to March).

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009