Pordenone was the capital of the Curtis regia Naonis between the 13th and the 16th century and an Hapsburg outpost in the territory that was part of the Aquileia Patriarchate. The autonomy of this State resisted until 1508, despite the Venetian occupation of the whole Friuli taking place in 1420. Entering the orbit of the Serenissima meant an increase in traffic and exchanges with the Lagoon City, along the Noncello-Meduna-Livenza waterway. The importance of Pordenone as a river port thoroughly favoured the town compared to the surrounding countryside, which started a process of progressive impoverishment, followed by sizeable depopulation. However, starting in the period of Austrian domination (1815-1866) onwards, a number of works were carried out that led the Pordenone area to become one of the most economically advanced areas of Italy, despite the various episodes that saw it the setting for devastating military action throughout the two world conflicts.
The Duomo of the city, dedicated to San Marco, dates back to the 15th century but shows a neoclassic façade, a renaissance door and a Romantic-Gothic bell tower, of likely previous construction. The church preserves frescoes and canvases of important Friuli artists. Also interesting are the churches of San Giorgio and Santa Maria degli Angeli, also called "del Cristo".
The Palazzo Comunale, built between 1291 and 1365, is a clear example of Gothic architecture, whereas in Borgo Torre we find the Castle of the Ragogna counts .
Around Pordenone we can point outManiago, with the Duomo di San Mauro dating to 1488, a splendid example of Friuli late Gothic architecture, and the remains of the Castle which, built around the 11th century and harshly tested by time and the earthquakes that have left their mark in this area, still shows all its magnificence; Sesto al Reghena, with its Romanic Abbey enriched by precious medieval frescoes; finally, towards Udine,San Daniele del Friuli, castled up on a hill, allows to you to take in the whole view of the Friuli planes and offers perfectly kept art treasures, such as the church of Sant'Antonio Abate, the Duomo and the Guarneriana library.
Every year in august a century old fair is held, that of "dei Osei" in Sacile, the oldest Italian ornithological event. As well as being able to buy and sell birds, there are contests and prize-giving but especially, you can enjoy the unusual performance of the Chioccolo competition, during which the men challenge each other in the imitation of their winged friends' song. The Pordenone Silent Film Festival is also held in Sacile, in October. In San Daniele, in August, there is "Aria di Festa", a food fair dedicated to the famous ham produced in this town.