Clauzetto: Caves, Panoramic Views and the Route of St. Martin

Clauzetto combines early history, expansive views and a clearly described hiking route. This creates a destination with different points of access: the Grotta del Rio Secco and the Grotta del Clusantin lead into distant eras, while the Balcone del Friuli, the churchyard of the Church of San Giacomo and the Route of St. Martin place landscape and movement in the foreground. Old fountains and an August tradition featuring polenta and cheese also form part of the character of the town.

Caves as Windows into Early History

The Grotta del Rio Secco is one of the rare Middle Paleolithic sites in Italy and Europe where clear evidence has been found of Neanderthals killing and consuming bears. The Neanderthal-era phases of the Grotta del Rio Secco have been dated to between 49,000 and 42,000 years ago. 14,000 years ago, the Grotta del Clusantin served as shelter for Epigravettian hunters and gatherers.

The Museo della Grotta was opened to the public in 2001. It displays paleontological and archaeological remains as well as fossils and minerals, including specimens originating locally. Alongside the caves, this gives early history its own cultural expression, bringing together different interests in archaeology, earth history and the region’s past.

Views and an Easy Hike

The “Balcone del Friuli” viewpoint in Clauzetto looks out over the Friulian plain as far as the Adriatic, the Euganean Hills to the west and the Istrian foothills to the east. The churchyard of the Church of San Giacomo is considered one of the most panoramic places in Friuli. Both places represent an appreciation of the landscape in which not only the immediate surroundings but also the expanse of the Friulian region plays a role.

The Route of St. Martin begins in Clauzetto at the Church of San Giacomo. It is an easy 9.6-kilometre route with 282 metres of ascent. Its length and elevation gain give the tour a clear profile for your personal planning. At the same time, its starting point connects the hike with one of Clauzetto’s historic locations offering panoramic views, without requiring any further geographical context.

Fountains and Local Tradition

Numerous old fountains line the paths along the roads of Clauzetto and its hamlets. The old fountains of Clauzetto were once used to water animals and draw water; at the same time, they were places for communal gatherings and social exchange. They therefore represent an earlier everyday culture that is not limited to individual sights but can also be seen along the town’s roads and in its hamlets.

In August, the Fieste da la Balote celebrates a traditional dish made with polenta and Montasio or, even more traditionally, Asìno cheese. This culinary connection broadens the view of Clauzetto to include a local tradition in which regional food culture has its own place alongside the landscape and early history.

Clauzetto as a Travel Idea

When choosing your hotel in Clauzetto, you can focus on different aspects: cave and museum history, views, the Route of St. Martin, old fountains or the Fieste da la Balote in August. In this way, your accommodation planning can follow your travel idea when culture, hiking, landscape or local cuisine is the deciding factor.

Other destinations: Frazione di Villa D'arco, Maniago, Caneva, Casarsa Della Delizia, Frisanco, Pordenone, Pinzano Al Tagliamento, Aviano

To the overview of the wider travel region: Pordenone.