Cortellazzo between the Piave estuary and the lagoon

Cortellazzo lies where the Cavetta Canal flows into the Piave, near the river mouth. Fishermen’s houses and canals shape the town’s maritime character. At the fishing harbour, sunrise and sunset offer impressive views. When planning your trip, you can combine the waterscape, local history and a culinary tradition linked to fishing.

Waterscape and nature

The Cortellazzo area extends to the sea at Jesolo Pineta. It also includes part of the Laguna del Mort, a Site of Community Importance. The small lagoon lies in the area around Cortellazzo and is characterised by shallow, calm water and shallow, sandy beds rich in phytoplankton. Its ecological and faunal significance gives this natural area a distinctive character.

From the open beach at the Piave estuary, a footpath runs over wooden walkways along the sand dunes and through the paths of the wild pine forest. If you plan to include this route in your visit, check local access conditions in advance; they may vary.

Exploring on foot and by bike

Cycling is also part of the town’s character: Cortellazzo is an important hub, linking Lido di Jesolo with Caorle and, along the Piave, with San Donà di Piave. These routes therefore lead both to coastal towns and, alongside the river, towards San Donà di Piave. If you want to explore the region by bike, you can use these destinations as a guide when choosing your route.

On foot and by bike, you can discover different aspects of the landscape: the footpath described here runs past dunes and through pine forest, while the cycling routes connect Cortellazzo with several towns. When planning, you can decide whether you are more interested in the route through the natural area or the cycling connections.

Local history between the canal and the Piave Front

The village developed after 1601, when the Serenissima completed the Cavetta Canal. The canal was intended to improve connections between the Venetian Lagoon and Friuli. Cortellazzo’s origins are thus closely linked to the history of water engineering and regional connections.

The early settlement included a small church dedicated to Madonna del Rosario, built in 1698. The restoration project for the building known as the Ex Caserma di Cortellazzo was completed in summer 2024. During the First World War, Cortellazzo was on the Piave Front and was the scene of one of the decisive moments of the war. Naval officer Andrea Bafile fell in battle in the harbour of Cortellazzo. Together, these events point to different periods in the town’s history, from its early development along the canal to the fighting on the Piave.

Fishing and the Feste Marinare

Cortellazzo’s culinary tradition is linked to fishing. This focus is also evident at the Feste Marinare: they are a summer tradition held on weekends in July and August. They feature freshly prepared fish at covered food stalls, music and dancing. The exact dates change each year. If you would like to plan your stay around the festivals, check the event dates for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Lido Di Jesolo

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