Cordovado lies in the middle of the plain, on the border between the Provinces of Pordenone and Venice. The surrounding area boasts historical and artistic heritage of unquestionable value and it was once described by Pier Paolo Pasolini as “Friuli with little of Friuli about it”. Some of the most important periods in history have made their mark here, so visitors can wander between medieval remains, Renaissance buildings and 19th century villas. The name of the town comes from the Latin “curtis de vado”, which referred to an agricultural complex (“curtis”) near a ford (“vadum”) on an old branch of the Tagliamento River. Historians believe that Cordovado’s roots lie in the Bronze Age, when there was a protohistoric fortified settlement here. Archaeological finds have shown that people settled here in Roman times. In around the 11th and 12th centuries, the location was fortified by the bishops of Concordia. This made it into the most important castle town on the plain and a centre of civil and military power. The castle was set on fire in 1418 when the Venetians came, but the bishops of Concordia continued to rule the area until the 18th century. One of the most significant cultural events is the medieval re-enactment, which has attracted people from miles around for decades. It is an unmissable opportunity to breathe in the 14th century atmosphere among the entertainment, market stalls, costume parades and district parties. The rival districts of Villa Belvedere, Borgo, Suzzolins and Saccudello compete for a famous prize known as the “Palio”. Cordovado has been officially listed as one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (“Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”) since 2005.