Socchieve

Socchieve is one of Carnia's oldest villages. In fact, it was mentioned several times in the Middle Ages starting from the year 1000.

Its name of latin origin, "sub clivo", transformed over the centuries into "sot la cleva", refers to its position below the hill.

On the hill, at the foot of which is the village of Socchieve, stood the castle of the lords of Socchieve, donated to them by the Patriarch of Aquileia and where today the old parish church of S. Maria Assunta stands (in Castoja), mentioned from the mid 13th century, probably built after the abolition of the episcopate of Zuglio and where in remote times there must have been a pre-Roman or Roman lookout.

Many typical buildings are present in the territory of Socchieve. The churches are rich in works of art, for example the presbytery of the San Martino Church features an important cycle of frescoes by the main Renaissance painter in Carnia, Gianfrancesco da Tolmezzo and his last work, a fresco with the Virgin, the Holy Child and the Saints Martino, Sebastiano and Rocco.

Socchieve hosts the "Arte, Cultura, Lavoro" (Art, Culture, Work) festival, which has been held for over thirty years in summer - between July and August - and is the most complete showcase of local handicraft. It displays objects linked to the traditional mountain working processes, but also pieces that are the result of new techniques. A real market fair in which both professionals and simple skilful amateurs and hobbyists participate. You will have the opportunity to admire artistic and traditional handicrafts, furniture, textiles, clothing, pottery, clocks, leather goods, embroideries, carved wood items.
the spontaneous architecture still existing in the towns.