There are places you visit that are special, not only are they beautiful but they also have a magical and special air to them. The little fishing village of Marano Lagunare is certainly one of them.

Situated on the upper Adriatic sea, it has the largest lagoon in the region of Friuli. It’s history dates back to the Roman times and then it became a fortified base in the days of the Doge’s Republic of Venice. The town has a precise geometric pattern with little streets, narrow lanes and numerous small squares smaller than the principal or main square. The place belonged to Venice until 1797, the buildings in fact have a distinctive Venetian style.

The peace and quiet and stillness of the village gives this place an almost mystical air. I find it so fascinating. It is only a little fishing village but a unique one.  

The tower situated in the main square was, according to local sources, originally built soon after 1031 as a place of guard dominating the surrounding lagoon.

With very few people walking around town, I felt like whispering. It was like stepping back in time, so still, so quiet. Flowers and plants carefully and neatly arranged outside peoples homes, the smell of home cooked food, you could hear people getting on with their daily lives.

We arrived here by boat from Lignano Sabbiadoro, the local beach where we usually stay. Whilst waiting for our boat back I quickly took a few shots. As it was getting darker the lighting was magic. Such a fantastic atmosphere.

This place is full of fishing boats and many cats waiting to get fresh fish!

I loved this Madonna painting.

If you like fish then this place is for you with many restaurants specializing in fish. We went there for the fish festival which occurs once a year. We had sweet and sour sardines Venetian style also known as “Sarde in Saor”, prawns, squid, “Canestrelli” smaller types of scallops very sweet. The fish was beautifully prepared.

Italian guys often like to be photographed. These men were working cleaning shellfish.

These shells are called “Fasolari” and they are typical of the Adriatic sea.

They look like large clams, you can eat them cooked or raw just like oysters so they have to be opened just before eating them. You can taste the sea in them, just so delicious.