Due to its geographical-natural characteristics and historical events, Friuli Venezia Giulia represents an ideal territory to present an effective summary of the complex relationships between man and the forest in their historical evolution, to highlight the fundamental aspects that characterize the functioning of the forest ecosystem, and to draw everyone's attention to the importance and urgency of finding adequate solutions to the many problems of the forests.

With an area of over 200 square meters and an exhibition path that unfolds in 3 rooms dedicated to as many specific themes, the exhibition aims to offer a synthetic overview of the naturalistic-ecological and historical-social aspects and problems of the forests of Friuli Venezia Giulia, using environmental reconstructions, photographic materials, samples, and biological finds.

A clear exhibition path introduces the forest ecosystem, widely represented within the Parco Naturale delle Prealpi Giulie, in its historical-cultural, vegetational, faunal, production, development, and protection aspects.

The History of the forests is the initial theme of the first room. The evolution of the forest landscape of the region from the glaciation period to the present day is illustrated through ancient written and cartographic documents, models, and various forestry tools. A specific space is reserved for forest toponymy and now-disappeared trades: menàus (lumberjacks) and çatârs (raftsmen).

The second theme is Forest Ecosystems. The climatic and geolithological characteristics of the region are the starting point for the presentation of a broad model of pedological profile: from the coast to the high mountains, the main forest types of Friuli Venezia Giulia are illustrated. Of notable educational value is the representation of fruits, seeds, and woods of conifers and broadleaves.

The second room hosts the Fauna of the forests. In the various forest environments such as the submontane scrub, the beech forest, the mixed conifer forests, and the subalpine scrub, realistic dioramas highlight the complex relationships between living organisms. The relationship between predators and prey is effectively illustrated in the food cycle of the tawny owl.

Specific sections are dedicated to forest insects, nests, signs and traces of animals, soil fauna, and faunal emergencies.

The third room is dedicated to the functions and uses of the forests. An appropriate path illustrates the physiology and multiple functions of trees. With models, works, instruments, and schemes, the problems arising from the human-forest interaction in the difficult relationship of conservation and production are addressed. There is space for perspectives for a new forestry and a permanent forest inventory. Three hundred realistic models of mushrooms, mainly made of wood by a local enthusiast, complete the exhibition.

LOCATION: Palazzo Orgnani-Martina, Via Mistruzzi, 4 – 33010 Venzone (UD)

Opening: annual

Opening hours: Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 15.00-19.00