Tarvisio and surroundings
Historical notes
The Tarvisio Forest spans nearly 24,000 hectares between the Carnic and Julian Alps, located at the borders of Italy, Austria, and Slovenia. Its history is marked by significant events: in 1007, Emperor Henry II "the Saint" granted it to the Bishop of Bamberg, who held dominion over it until 1759, when it was purchased by Maria Theresa of Austria. After World War I and the Treaty of Saint-Germain (1919), the forest was assigned to Italy and incorporated into the State's domain.
The Tarvisio Forest is characterized by diverse landscapes and rich flora, including beeches, pines, larches, birches, and the iconic resonant red fir, used for making musical instruments. The highest point of the forest is Mount Montasio (2753 m), while the lowest point is in the spectacular Slizza Gorge, which can be explored through a hiking trail.
Today, the Tarvisio Forest is owned by the Fondo Edifici di Culto of the Ministry of the Interior and is managed by the Carabinieri Biodiversity Division, which replaced the former State Forestry Corps. The forest continues to be an ecologically and culturally important resource.
Tarvisio, known as "Tarvis" in German and "Trbiž" in Slovenian, is the capital of the Valcanale (or "Kanaltal") region. This valley, running east-west towards Pontebba (called "Pontafel" in German and "Tablja" in Slovenian), has historically been a key communication route between Italy and Central and Eastern Europe due to the low altitude of the Coccau pass. The Valcanale has long been a central route for trade and movement between these regions.
At Camporosso ("Saifnitz" in German and "Žabnice" in Slovenian), one finds the watershed between the Danube and Mediterranean basins, marking a geographical divide.
In 1007, Tarvisio became part of the Carinthian March, a territory within the Holy Roman Empire, falling under the jurisdiction of the Babenberg dynasty, which ruled the Duchy of Carinthia. The region remained under the control of the Babenbergs and later the Carinthian princes, who were closely tied to the Empire.
Over the centuries, Tarvisio was ruled by various powers, but from 1382 onward, it became part of the Habsburg domains. Under Habsburg control, it remained Austrian until the end of World War I in 1918. During the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Tarvisio was part of the Tyrol region, which was under Austrian control. Its strategic location made it a key point of transit between Italy, Austria, and Slovenia, facilitating trade and communication across these borders.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Tarvisio and its surroundings saw significant military activity, especially during the Italian Campaign of 1797, the Battle of Tarvisio in 1809, and the battles of the Sixth Coalition in 1813. One notable historical site in Tarvisio is the Tiglio di Napoleone (Napoleon's Linden tree), a centuries-old tree located on a hill just behind the town. Tradition holds that in March 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte rested under this tree after his victory at the Battle of Rutte, where his forces defeated the Austrian Imperial troops. The tree, which is around 26 meters tall and estimated to be about 350 years old, remains a symbol of that important historical event.
The Battle of Tarvisio in 1797 was a significant episode in the Italian campaign, which was part of the context of the French Revolutionary Wars and the First Coalition. After French victories at Rivoli and Arcole, Napoleon Bonaparte continued his advance into Austrian territory, aiming to cut off the communication and supply lines of the imperial army. Tarvisio, located at the border between Italy, Austria, and Slovenia, became a crucial strategic point in this plan.
During this period, the French forces had won decisive battles, weakening Austria. In the Battle of Tarvisio, the French, although numerically inferior, defeated the Austrian imperial troops, forcing them to retreat. This French success was part of the broader context of the war, which led to the signing of the Treaty of Campoformio (1797), in which Austria ceded much of its Italian territories, including Friuli and Tarvisio.
The victory at Tarvisio and the subsequent negotiations greatly contributed to strengthening Napoleon's position as a commander and to his political rise in France. The Campoformio treaty marked the end of Austrian dominance over much of northern Italy and the consolidation of France as the dominant power in the region.
The Monumento al Fuciliere Austriaco (Austrian Rifleman Monument) is located near Coccau, a small area in the municipality of Tarvisio, in the province of Udine, Friuli Venezia Giulia, near the border between Italy and Austria. This monument honors the Austrian soldiers who fought during World War I, particularly those in the Austro-Hungarian army who were involved in the fighting along the Italian front.
The monument was erected to commemorate the sacrifice of Austrian soldiers who lost their lives during the battles in the Friuli region. The area around Coccau, near Mount Lussari, was the site of intense fighting between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces. The monument not only honors the soldiers but also serves as a symbol of the historical impact of the war on the local populations and the region.
The Austrian Rifleman Monument features a simple, monumental design that blends harmoniously with the surrounding mountainous landscape. Its architecture is straightforward, focusing on solemnity rather than decoration, emphasizing respect for the war's fallen soldiers. The monument was created as a symbol of peace and remembrance, encouraging reflection for those visiting the site.
Coccau is a mountain area, so the monument is positioned in a scenic setting with panoramic views of the Val Canale and surrounding mountains. The area is also known for its hiking trails, allowing visitors to approach the monument while exploring the natural beauty and historical sites related to World War I.
This monument is one of several in the region that commemorate the dramatic events of the Great War, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and peace among nations.
The Treaty of Campoformio, signed in 1797, was a crucial moment in the history of Tarvisio and Friuli. Through this agreement, Tarvisio and the entire Friuli region were annexed to the Cisalpine Republic, one of the satellite states created by France during the Napoleonic Wars. Although the treaty formalized the annexation of these territories, the region remained a contested area during the subsequent wars, mainly due to its strategic location between Italy and Austria. Tarvisio, situated on one of the main Alpine communication routes, was a key target for both powers.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the region was frequently a battlefield between French forces and Austrian imperial troops, as both sides sought to control this strategically important area, both militarily and commercially. Despite being annexed to the Cisalpine Republic, Friuli and Tarvisio remained at the center of military conflicts between the two factions.
After Napoleon's defeat in 1814 and the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the region passed under Austrian control. Austria restored its rule over Tarvisio and much of the territories it had previously lost, ushering in a new phase of Austrian domination that would last nearly a century. During this period, the region remained under Austrian imperial control, although tensions between Austria and the Italian independence movements continued to simmer.
In 1866, during the Third Italian War of Independence, Italy annexed Veneto and Friuli, but Tarvisio remained under Austrian control. Only with the end of World War I and the defeat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire did the city and its surrounding territories pass to the new Italian state. The Treaty of Saint-Germain, signed in 1919, marked the end of Austrian dominance in the region, and Tarvisio became part of the Kingdom of Italy, thus ending a long period of political transitions and territorial disputes.