Illegio, Friuli: the tiny Friulian village that has become famous in the world (and loved by Pope Francis and Sergio Mattarella)

Illegitimacyin Friuli, the micro-village of Carnia (350 inhabitants) where the arrival of the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarellais famous mainly for two reasons: its 7 water mills located between the streams of the village, but above all for having become – despite being geographically in an almost lost position of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Italy – one of the most important venues for international art exhibitions that for two decades have attracted audiences and experts from all over the world.

And this is precisely the reason for the presence of the Head of State in Illegio: a private visit to the 20th International Art Exhibition whose theme, The Couragepresents works by Perugino, Caravaggio, Bernini And Kandinsky. The institutional meeting is at House of Exhibitions of Illegio in via Don Piemonte. And it goes without saying that the mountain resort five minutes away by road Tolmezzo It has been under surveillance for days for security reasons.

Saint Sebastian – Attributed to Vannucci Pietro called Perugino on loan from the Borghese Gallery

From the President of the Republic to Pope Francis, everyone in Illegio

On the exhibition and the cultural activities taking place in Illegio, also Pope Francis had expressed his appreciation by sending a letter during the inauguration last June 18: «I encourage you to carry forward the audacity of this dream – he had written from the Holy See – so that the high peaks that dominate your landscape continue to attract numerous visitors and thus open new paths of spirituality and friendship». The exhibition taking place in Illegio until November 3, 2024spectacular and impressive, it strikes the mind and heart and amazes with the extraordinary concentration of artistic wonders and surprising case studies. It presents, among others, two important works of art: a painting of Titian And a drawing of Raphaelboth never exhibited before.

Both works, from a private Parisian collection, complete the rich itinerary of the exhibition. «Courage»with his 40 masterpieces – nine from collections inaccessible to the public –, selected for their extremely high quality and displayed to trace a path, between paintings and sculptures, which starts from the Middle Ages and it arrives in the mid-twentieth century. With works, among others, by Guercino, Bronzino and Arnaldo Pomodorothe art meditation on the virtue of courage proposed by Illegio this year promises to be the most important art event in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Of extraordinary impact, at the heart of the exhibition, the Taking of Christ in the Garden of Olivesby Caravaggiopainted in 1602, a spectacular work of large dimensions and overwhelming theatrical power, finally made available for public admiration.

Don Alessio’s merit: having made a small village of 350 inhabitants famous throughout the world

The curious note about Illegio is that until 2004 only a few tourists came here, travellers who mostly admired the landscape of this little-known location in Friuli Venezia Giulia where panoramic views, history, tradition, art and faith are an osmotic and harmonious whole. Then one fine day Father Alessio Gerettian enlightened parish priest and passionate about art, had the happy intuition of organizing and promoting exhibitions and displays with works from private collections and high-caliber museums.

The initiative was so well received and aroused so much interest among the public that in a short time the small village in Carnia rose to the honours of the Italian and foreign news and is still known and recognised by government and cultural institutions throughout Europe. Since then, in twenty years, there have been 1,500 works from every museum and collection and beyond 600 thousand visitors They discovered this treasure chest of beauty, thanks to the international art exhibitions that are organized annually.

The courage of simplicity

It goes without saying that in Illegio there are also other suggestive things to see and photograph such as the Parish Church of San Florianoa medieval and Renaissance chapel whose architectural structure dates back to the 9th century and that from the top of a hill dominates the entire plain in solitude. Inside it preserves frescoes and a painted stone altar.

Then there are the frico dishes to taste, the Friulian specialty based on cheese and potatoes that is widespread throughout the region. And then there is the Toufthe river that flows from a spring in the heart of the town, laps seven ancient millsin particular the Mill from the Flecwhich still grinds for villagers and visitors, an emblem of ancient peasant traditions. Because Illegio is the story of a simple and small mountain village that became famous thanks to art. And the exhibition «Courage», vibrant and compelling theme that animates and reanimates people and populations – a necessary virtue that art has wonderfully celebrated here as a tribute to conscience – can truly be a special and saving path to reconciliation.

JOHN SCARSINI