Seven things you might not know about Bibione’s natural heritage

It’s interesting to note that a number of different types of water can be found in the Bibione area.

In Bibione Pineda, even the names of the streets are inspired by the flowers and plants in the flourishing natural environment. The rich vegetation is one of Bibione’s most outstanding features: maritime pines, rhododendrons, heather, tamarisks and numerous species of orchids all grow here.

A few years ago, the Province of Venice’s Environmental Policies Department started a census to record details of the traditional fishermen’s homes known as “casoni” in the inland areas and the renovation work that has been done on them. These buildings had never been studied in literature about the local agricultural landscape.

The research provided in-depth information about the quality and quantity of the “casoni” in the wetlands around Caorle and Bibione, as well as on the network of waterways connected to the local lagoons.

It paints a fascinating picture, especially of the fishermen’s homes. There are more than a hundred of them, many of which still have the original features that make them a unique part of the Italian anthropological scene. Click here to find out more about the “casoni”

Valgrande is home to important historic sites that were studied in a research project carried out on behalf of the Venice Architectural Heritage Department in the 1930s

At the bottom of a small hill known as “Motteron dei Frati”, protected by a holm oak wood and covered by dense vegetation, tangible traces were found of what is thought to be a coastal villa from the 4^th century AD. It is likely to have served a commercial purpose and been used for storing fish and shellfish. A coin depicting the emperor Honorius was found among the concrete walls. It dates back to the later period of the Roman Empire, when Barbarian incursions were beginning. Venice was founded soon afterwards.

The remains include remnants of foundations, perimeter walls and mosaics. They are the only trace left by the Ancient Romans in the Bibione area, between Aquileia and Concordia, so they are of great historical value and a key part of Valgrande’s heritage. Make sure you visit them if you come to Bibione. You’ll be amazed by Valgrande’s rich history and natural environment!

A number of species of plants that are protected by regional, national and EU schemes can be found around the mouth of the Tagliamento River. The most significant example from a naturalistic point of view is the extremely rare Stipa veneta Moraldo, which is widely known as “Lino delle Fate” (“Fairy Flax”).

It is endemic to the North Adriatic Coast and it is the only type of European Stipa that lives and grows on coastal sand dunes. It was once fairly widespread in the lagoon but it is now only found in the Tagliamento area, so it has become particularly rare and valuable. The origins of the name of the genus lie in the Greek term “stypé”, which means “mass of soft fibres” and refers to the long feathery beards that can be seen on some species. It flowers in April and May.

Read about the Mouth of the Tagliamento Nature Reserve project.

The Litoranea Veneta is a network of waterways that was created by the Republic of Venice when it was at the height of its power. Combining man-made canals and existing rivers, it links the Venetian Lagoon with the mouth of the Isonzo River.

It stretches out over 127 km in total: approximately 68.5 km in Veneto and 58.5 km in Friuli Venezia Giulia. In the past, people used it to travel from Venice to Trieste. Thanks to the numerous improvements made by the Litoranea Veneta Consortium, it can now be used by anyone who wants to spend a day visiting little islands, sandbanks and the traditional fishermen’s homes known as “casoni” with a canoe, a rowing boat or a small pleasure craft.

The magnificent waterways offer a unique perspective on scenery of great historic and naturalistic interest.