The Municipality of Polcenigo is aware of having a territory with a Geological Heritage that is one of its most precious resources, around which a large part of the local economy develops.
Within the municipality, two geosites with geomorphological and hydrogeological significance are recognized and included in the Regional Geosite Register of Friuli Venezia Giulia: the Livenza River Springs and the Col dei S’cios Reef Complex.
The first geosite – Livenza River Springs – represents one of the most well-known and interesting karst hydrology systems at the national level, both from a geological and sports perspective.
The second geosite – Col dei S’cios Reef Complex – has significant paleontological relevance, as the layers of Col dei S’cios serve as a fossil testimony of what can be considered one of the highest levels of carbonate platform expansion, which developed in the Cansiglio-Cavallo area during the Jurassic-Cretaceous period.
The so-called “Dinosaur Footprint,” located along the slope connecting Mezzomonte to Candaglia, is a site of great interest that has not yet been officially recognized as a geosite. This footprint, discovered in 2018, has attracted growing attention, becoming an attraction for tourists and paleontology enthusiasts.
Furthermore, the Municipality has been chosen by the USAF Base as “American Friendly,” attracting numerous visitors and U.S. residents. The interest in the territory and its geology should therefore be further promoted through the distribution of bilingual informational materials.
Thanks to Regional Law 15/2016, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region promotes activities to enhance and disseminate geological knowledge of all its geosites. In 2024, the Municipality of Polcenigo was awarded a grant to propose targeted initiatives under the name Polceni-Geo, structured into the following action lines:
Feasibility study and creation of a geological/paleontological trail connecting Mezzomonte to the “Dinosaur Footprint” geosite, with the installation of informational panels.
Enhancement of the Gorgazzo Spring geosite through new multimedia technologies and the installation of new bilingual informational panels (Italian-English).
Enhancement of the Col dei S’cios geosite area near the Casera, with the setup of a bilingual informational panel (Italian-English).
Organization of seminars on the topic of geodiversity and local Geological Heritage, featuring experts, environmental hiking guides, universities, research institutes, scuba diving, and speleological groups.
Organization of educational activities with schools and guided excursions of various difficulty levels on the topic of geodiversity and knowledge of the local Geological Heritage, with the participation of guides and experts.
Creation of an interactive virtual tour along the route from the Gorgazzo Spring to Mezzomonte, passing through the Dinosaur Footprint paleontological trail and reaching Candaglia.
The Polceni-Geo project will be presented on March 28 at 8:30 PM at the Polcenigo Theater, where the objectives, geosites, and excursions with geologists—funded through the regional contribution under Regional Law 15/2016—will be illustrated.
The program begins on Sunday, April 6, 2025, with the first excursion: “THE DINOSAUR FOOTPRINT AND THE CORALS OF POLCENIGO.” Then, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the excursion “CLIMBING THE CARBONATE PLATFORM OF MEZZOMONTE” will take place. On Sunday, June 22, 2025, an excursion will be held alongside the inauguration of the educational panel “THE PASTURES IN THE SEA OF COL DEI SCIOS,” showcasing the richness and importance of local fossils.
After the summer break, activities resume on September 13 and 14, 2025, with the excursion “POLCENIGO LOOP TRAIL: VILLAGES AND SPRINGS” and the inauguration of the new bilingual panel at Gorgazzo. The following day, a panel will be installed in Mezzomonte to celebrate local paleontology with a guided walk around the village.
The Polceni-Geo project will conclude on October 3, 4, and 5, 2025, with the conference “UNDERWATER SPELEOLOGY IN NORTHEAST ITALY” – featuring stories, techniques, research, and rescue operations. This initiative aims to disseminate the discipline of underwater speleology to experts and the general public, thanks to the participation of nationally and internationally renowned speleologists and cave divers.
The final geo-excursion will take place on Sunday, October 5, 2025, titled “GEO-STORIES ALONG THE GORGAZZO – MEZZOMONTE LOOP.”
