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Published: June 16th 2011
A constant reminder
The original work was damaged in the earthquake and now is central to the memorial in the church. These locals were remembering that day - you could tell.At the foot of the Juliaen Prealps, on Via Augustus that connected Aquileia with Norienna (Austria), Fruili is a series of fortified towns dating from Roman times. Lombards came from Norway through the central plains of Europe in the 5th century, settled and controlled the area until its was annexed to the Republic of Venica in 1420, fell under Austrian rule in 1798, belonged to France for a short time and oscillated between Austria & Italy until annexed by Italy in 1866. What about Yugoslavia, just over the lesser hills?
The people mostly speak their own language, Fruileano, rather than Italian and many don't move far from the village in which they were born. That is, apart from all those Fruili folks who emigrated to Australia in the 60's.
Our friends live in Gemona del Fruili and they have made us very welcome as we have tried to communicate in some sort of pidgin Anglo/Italio/Fruilio language with a lot of gesticulating thrown in. I now now why Col waves his arms around all the time ( take note Brent), it is because of his Italian ancestors.
At 9pm on May 6, 1976 an earthquake of 6.4 was centered
The new crucifix
above the reconstructed nave of the Duomo on Gemona. Whilst the first quake only lasted 57 seconds, 989 were killed, 2400 were injured and 157000 were homeless in Gemona alone. Most villages in the area received significant damage to houses and historic buildings, particularly their cathedrals, churches and castles. The cost to rebuild was estimated at $2.4 billion. Gemona is now seen as a tribute to the rebuilding as they faithfully renovated, rebuilt and recreated the buildings and homes of the city. It is now very beautiful with constant reminders of the earthquake everywhere.
We drove many hundreds of km's on rural and mountain roads, visiting hilltop towns like Gemona with its beautifully restored Duomo, Profferbo hanging off the side of a mountain and Raveo on a mountain that rises from 300 to 2064 mts above sea level, with many hairpin bends to get there. Amongst others we visited: San Daniele the home of Italy's premier proscuitto, Spilimbergo with the world famous Mosaic School founded in 1922, Cividale the old Roman capital with its Lombard Baptistery of Callisto and the 8th century Altar of Ratchis and Venzona with it's double walls and narrow streets.
Trieste is a beautiful city and one we will remember. We
Gemona Duomo
Look at the lean on the columns - result of the earthquake drove in and before we did the tourist spots in town we took a tram ( cog assisted) up to the top of the hills and back again. It gave us a birdeye view of Trieste and it's beautiful setting.
We are leaving Fruili now and will finish our Italian trip by going to Ravenna (San Appolliniare in Classe), to Padova ( Screvegni Chapel with it's Giotto frescoes) and then Venice for the Biennale. Then off to London for family time with Barry and Phil and famlies. What a way to finish a lovely adventure.
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Rick and Jan
non-member comment
Italy
Hey, another great blog! You have some really interesting pics and yet more ideas of places for us to visit.