Lusevera

Lusevera has a fascinating history that dates back centuries. It is first mentioned in 1150, but it is thought that there were settlements as early as the 6th century or even as early as Roman times. Its strategic position gave it an important role in contact with other populations, especially when the Venetian government began to deforest the area and manage it bureaucratically.

Despite the Venetian conquest, Lusevera remained economically self-sufficient, but cultural exchanges with the rest of Friuli and Slovenia were limited. This isolation continued to influence the area even during Austrian domination and the annexation to the Kingdom of Italy. Only after the First World War did the people of Lusevera begin to feel more connected to the outside world, leading to emigration to more prosperous areas.

In the years between the two wars, there was a period of prosperity, but after the Second World War the population began to decline. The tragic 1976 earthquake caused serious damage and led to the reconstruction of the nursery school, dedicated to the driver Graham Hill, thanks to a charity race involving Formula 1 drivers at the Autodromo Riccardo Paletti and organized by the weekly magazine Autosprint.

In Lusevera, the fortifications of Micottis, Musi and Tanamea are very interesting in terms of their architecture. Built during the Cold War, they played an important role in the defence of the area until the 1990s.

The fortification of Micottis is located along the road from Lusevera to Villanova, right at the crossroads for Taipana. It is a small but significant structure. The fortifications of Musi and Tanamea, however, were part of a larger defensive system to protect the upper Torre valley and the plain of Udine.

Musi is located on the high ground and controls a strategic point of the Uccea valley, while the Tanamea fortification, dug into the rock, is located near the Tanamea pass and protects the access from the upper Isonzo valley. The village center is home to the Church of St. George and the Ethnographic Museum, where you can immerse yourself in local culture and discover the traditions of the Lusevera community.

Lusevera, located in the upper Torre valley at an altitude of 504 metres, is crossed by the streams Mea and Torre, whose sources are found in the hamlet of Musi. The varied morphology of the area, surrounded by the Musi mountain range, features different ecological systems. To the south, there are thermophilic forests typical of the Mediterranean area, while to the north, ash and chestnut trees grow in the cooler soil.

The Grotte di Villanova (caves), including the famous Grotta Nuova, discovered in 1925 and open to visitors, are a popular local feature, part of the Julian Prealps Natural Park. The evocative Paths of the Wash Trails immersed in nature leads to the discovery of ancient local traditions.  Not to be missed the Torre Springs with its crystal-clear waters gushing from the mountains, perfect for a stroll or the Bedrosa and Torre bathing area, ideal for cooling off on a sunny day.