Gruaro: Mills, Churches and Paths Along the Lemene

Gruaro combines the history of mills along the Lemene with church art, an ancient find and paths through the river landscape. If you are looking for a hotel in Gruaro, these different highlights offer starting points for planning your trip: you can explore historic buildings and art, or focus on activities along the river.

Mills along the Lemene and their history

The Mulini di Stalis are a medieval mill complex comprising two mills along the Lemene. They lie just after the river enters the municipality of Gruaro. The two mills are associated with different dates: the older one was first mentioned in a document in 1432, while the newer one dates from the late 19th century. The first documentary mention should not be confused with a construction date. This distinguishes the documented history of the older mill from the later construction date of the newer one.

Church architecture and fresco art

The Chiesa di San Giusto is another place where it is worth distinguishing between an early mention and the construction period. The church is mentioned in documents dating from 1186 or 1187. However, the present-day Chiesa di San Giusto was built between 1482 and 1513 on the remains of an earlier church. The earlier date refers to the documentary mention; it does not date the present-day building. This chronology gives the building a longer history without conflating the construction period of the present-day church with the earlier mention.

The Chiesa di San Tommaso contains fresco cycles by the Friulian-Venetian school. They adorn the walls, the apse and the round arch between the nave and the choir. The paintings date from the late 15th century to the first half of the 16th century. Their distribution across different areas makes their spatial arrangement as much a part of the description as their art-historical classification. This focus differs from the building history of San Giusto: here, the frescoes and their placement within the church take centre stage.

The Sarcofago Romano

The Sarcofago Romano is dated to late antiquity, more specifically to the 4th or 5th century. It was discovered in 1981 near Bagnara. It can currently be viewed outside the primary school. The dating describes the age of the find, while 1981 refers to when it was discovered. If you are exploring the history of the area, these details help distinguish its historical classification from the modern date of its discovery.

Walking along the Lemene or cycling the GiraLemene

The activity “Passeggiata lungo il Lemene tra acque placide e antichi mulini” starts in Gruaro and follows the Lemene along a flat route of about 6.5 kilometres. It introduces the history of the Boldara mill and the natural features of the area. The activity is led by an environmental hiking guide authorised under Regional Law L.R. E.R. No. 4/2000 and subsequent amendments. The approximate distance and flat terrain are specific details about this guided activity; it should not be confused with the longer GiraLemene route.

The GiraLemene cycle and footpath starts in the municipality of Gruaro at the Boldara wooden footbridge and continues to the Mulini di Stalis. The route is 38 kilometres long and draws on literary references to Nievo, Pasolini, Russolo and Hemingway. This means there are two different options: the guided activity along the Lemene, at about 6.5 kilometres, and the 38-kilometre GiraLemene route. The named starting and ending points, along with the literary figures, help put the route in context without confusing it with the guided activity.

June event

“Stalis tra arte, storia e natura” has been held annually since 2001 on the first Sunday in June. The event is organised by the municipalities of Cordovado, Gruaro and Sesto al Reghena. If you would like to plan your stay around this date, check the event dates for your travel year. This lets you combine a visit to Gruaro with a specific cultural event, while the mills, church art and paths along the Lemene offer other distinct highlights to include in your plans.

Discover more travel destinations: Vigonovo, Cona, Fiesso D’artico, Meolo, San Liberale, Pianiga, Passarella, Fossò.

For the main travel overview: Venice.