Green spaces, nature and lagoon of Lignano Sabbiadoro

The river Tagliamento flows slowly and steadily towards the Adriatic Sea on the western shore of the peninsula. The stream is the border between the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the neighbouring Veneto. The river is navigable a few kilometers upward. Trees and mediterranean brush are the characteristic vegetation of the river banks. The blue water and the green shore dominated by the pine trees can be best admired by boat, by bike or by horse - be careful though: your vacation can be much longer than planned due to the beauty of the nature that anyone is hesitant to leave behind. Fishermen love the Tagliamento because of the diverse species they can get on board and on shore: in the salty water mixed with fresh water perch, gilthead seabream, eel and mullets are usually part of the catch. During the right season, you can collect scion and berries on the river banks and prepare one of the local specialties in your own kitchen.

Lignano is embedded in the vast pine tree forest. Throughout the city, this vegetation is still prevalent, especially in the many parks with their green areas that are equipped with banks and walkways. One of the largest and most beautiful and significant parks is the Parco Hemingway in Lignano Pineta. The park is named after the American author Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Lignano for a while and came here many times for a vacation. The territory measures a few hectors; there are bicycle lanes and playgrounds for children with swings and slides, where the little ones can play safely and without any danger, During the summer you can come and enjoy one of many shows in the outdoor theater right in the center while enjoying the wonderful smell of the pine trees. Display boards, photos and written descriptions are testimonials of Ernest Hemingways life and work in Lignano. The most famous fest conducted year after year at Parco Hemingway is the flower festival "Lignano in flower" that usually opens the summer season at the end of April and the beginning of May. Right then the park is visited by many guests who enjoy the many artisan stands, culinary specialties of the region, interesting exhibitions as well as the many flowers and plants that transform the park into a sea of colours.

The lagoon of Marano is situated between the river Tagliamento and the island Porto Buso, its beautiful landscape hosts an extraordinary flora and fauna of great importance. Part of the lagoon area is the peninsula of Lignano and the Barene in the north as well as smaller island such as "Isola delle Conchiglie" and „Isola di S. Andea" that separate it from the sea. There are two nature reserves in the Marano Lagoon: the Riserva delle Foci del Fiume Stella (Reserve of the Mouths of the Stella River) that is only reachable by boat, and the Riserva della Valle Canal Novo (Canal Novo Valley Reserve) that is famous for fish farming; a magnet for visitors is the aquarium. Both nature reserves are known especially for their valuable biodiversity and bird species such as geese, seagulls, swans, herons and terns. The rich fauna with its various kinds of reeds and plants of the leadwort family such as "limonio" make the ideal habitat for various bird species who come here during the months of winter migration or stay here for the course of the year. Very rich is the biodiversity under water. The lagoon is inhabited by shellfish, cuttlefish, squid, octopus, crabs, redfish and ray. Guests can witness this magnificent paradise by taking an organized excursion by boat.

Characteristic for the lagoon are the so called "casoni", the cabins originally built by fishermen as a little refuge and a place to stay after work or in between fishings but they were also suitable to be lived in entirely. The "casoni" are made of reed bundles that make for the typical form of these strange buildings. They were put together in a way that they would create either a round or a square space in their middle, right at the center of the "casoni" were the fireplaces. Nowadays they are more a tourist attraction than anything else and are used to teach about traditions and life once upon a time in this particular area. Some owners fixed up the cabins so that tourists can spend an unforgettable day there and enjoy a typical seafood meal such as "sarde al saor". An enchanting moment is guaranteed when you taste a glass of regional wine and inhale the pure, salty air blowing from the sea.

"Island of Martignano" is it's name, but the island is rather known as "Shell Island" or in Italian "Isola delle conchiglie". It is located only a few hundred meters east off the peninsula of Lignano. The rich flora and fauna make the island an ideal place for hiking and waking in the beautiful, uncontaminated nature. The coast facing the open sea is made up of sand that's even more golden than the beach of Lignano. You can either enjoy a bath in the sea, lie in the sun, take a hike and admire rare bird species or collect beautiful shells that were washed up on the shore. This island is also known as the paradise for any kite surfer, because the wonderful breeze is made to be caught by a kite so that surfers fly high into the sky above the water. Shell Island is reachable by boat from Lignano Sabbiadoro in only a few minutes - and then you can enjoy a day and you will for sure remember the adventures of Robinson Crusoe while being on this beautiful island