San Leonardo: Churches, Nature and Trails

San Leonardo is a destination for travelers who want to take local history, church art and nature into account when choosing their stay. Highlights range from San Leonardo Church and Santa Lucia in Cravero to the natural site of Cascate di Kot just outside the village. There are also trails between Merso di Sopra and Cravero, as well as leisure facilities at Parco Michael Puppin in Merso di Sopra.

Plan your journey by train

According to operator information updated in February 2026, the Udine–Cividale railway line has been closed to rail traffic since 20 May 2024, with replacement buses in operation. Check the current timetable before traveling, as the status may change following infrastructure works. This lets you take the stated closure and replacement bus service into account when planning your journey.

Churches and cultural history

San Leonardo Church is documented as having existed as early as the 12th century. After being damaged in the 1976 Friuli earthquake, it was restored between 1984 and 1986. Its history therefore includes both the church’s early existence and a later, precisely dated period of restoration.

Santa Lucia Church in Cravero was built in 1454. Its fresco cycle is attributed to Jernej iz Loke, also known as Bartolomeo of Škofja Loka, or to one of his students. The attribution therefore leaves both possibilities open. Another artistic highlight is the richly gilded and decorated wooden altar, a work by Lukas Sharf from the 18th century. The frescoes and altar represent different art forms and attributions within the same church.

The stone slab of the Merso Bank is also part of local history: until the 19th century, it set out the administrative and legal rules for managing local autonomy. This aspect complements the church art with a look at the former organization of self-government.

Natural site and trails

The natural site of Cascate di Kot lies just outside San Leonardo, on the road to Altana. The protected site is a habitat for the rare plant Ruscus hypoglossum. An easy trail follows the Patok and Pod Tamoran streams to the hollow with the Cascate di Kot; along the way, it passes the ruins of an old mill. Conditions may be wet, so take this into account when planning.

The San Leonardo Trail is another named route, running between Merso di Sopra and Cravero. Its stated endpoints offer a different point of reference from the trail to the hollow at Cascate di Kot. When planning the trail, you should also take local trail conditions into account.

Leisure at Parco Michael Puppin

Parco Michael Puppin in Merso di Sopra has games and attractions for children of all ages. The sports complex in the park also includes a climbing wall that is open to everyone. The facilities cater to different groups: the games and attractions are for children, while the climbing wall is explicitly open to all. This makes the park a separate leisure stop to include in your plans alongside the churches and nature trails.

Discover more destinations: Pasian di Prato, Trivignano Udinese, Ronchis, Collina, Mortegliano, Teor, Arta Terme, Taipana

For the broader travel overview: Udine.