Preone

Evidence of Preone's ancient origins are provided by the finding of human bones and weapons that strengthen the hypothesis according to which Preone was built as a fortified lookout.

However, the town, developed at the back of big hills, did not have much strategic value as it was isolated from the Tagliamento and was not equipped with cart roads that may link it to towns on the other side of the valley.

For these reasons, Preone probably developed with the typical characteristics of a village of shepherds.

The small town of Preone is very important due to the paleontological richness of its territory. Research has brought to light large quantities of fossil plants, fish, crustaceans and pterosaurs (flying reptiles), which are some of the oldest found in Europe. For this reason, the Paleontological Museum is of great importance. The permanent exhibition is housed in eighteenth-century Palazzo Lupieri, built by the homonymous noble family of Venetian origin in Carnic style.

The museum exhibition is integrated by the self-guided nature trail Stavolo Lunas, a 3-km path equipped with signs that describe the local geological and paleontological features, as well as the local flora and fauna, and by an educational workshop.

Moreover, in Preone you will find the large forest of Mount Rest, where you may see roe deer, black grouse, wood grouse, golden eagle, peregrine falcon and bear.