Stage 20
Gemona del Friuli 1976-2026 > Piancavallo
From the rebirth of Gemona to the emotions of Piancavallo.
Gemona del Friuli
Fifty years. That is how long it has been since the devastating earthquake that levelled Gemona del Friuli and large parts of the surrounding region. Yet from tragedy came one of Italy’s most remarkable examples of resilience. Friuli rose again - quickly, proudly, and with extraordinary dignity. And nowhere tells that story better than Gemona itself. From the rubble of 1976 emerged a rebuilt town that remained deeply faithful to its identity, guided by the philosophy: “where it was, as it was.”
Before the start of Stage 20 of the Giro d’Italia, it is worth wandering through Gemona’s streets to admire landmarks such as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, painstakingly reconstructed while preserving defining features like its great rose window and the Gallery of the Epiphany. Nearby stand the Castle, the Renaissance Palazzo Boton, and the Sanctuary of Saint Anthony, believed to be the oldest sanctuary in the world dedicated to the Saint of Padua. Built in the 13th century on the very site where Saint Anthony once stayed, it preserves artworks, ex-votos and the so-called “Cell of the Saint.”
Piancavallo
Shortly after leaving Gemona, the race reaches Bordano, known as the “village of butterflies”, famous for the extraordinary variety of colourful species that inhabit the area. At the House of Butterflies, visitors can admire over 400 species inside tropical greenhouses, while butterfly-themed murals decorate houses throughout this unexpectedly enchanting village.
In Colloredo di Monte Albano, attention turns to a 14th-century castle dominated by its clock tower, before the route edges closer to the mountains and reaches Forgaria. Here, riders pass the open-air museum “The Places of the Great War in the Friulian Hills”, while above, griffon vultures and birds of prey circle through the skies of the Cornino Lake Nature Reserve. Further on, Maniago invites a stop at the Museum of Blacksmithing and Cutlery, celebrating the valley’s centuries-old forging tradition.
The route then reaches Aviano, where San Zenone Cathedral, with its neoclassical façade and remarkable Renaissance paintings, shares the square with the elegant Palazzo Menegozzi, crowned with statues overlooking the town. After a first ascent to Piancavallo, the race briefly softens beside the stunning Lake Barcis, whose vivid emerald waters reflect the beauty of the surrounding Friulian Prealps.
Finally comes Piancavallo, mountain sports capital of the Carnic Prealps, a destination alive even in summer with countless outdoor opportunities. One highlight is the Passeggiata delle Malghe, a scenic 12-kilometre circular trail winding through forests and alpine meadows, revealing panoramic views across the plains and introducing visitors to the region’s traditional mountain huts. A modest effort, perhaps - but one capable of leaving lasting memories.
