The town of Caorle

Of all the ancient towns of the Veneto, Caorle, with its seafront and varied countryside, is certainly the most charming. Of clear Roman origin, the town takes its name from the past: Caprulae, the ancient name of Caorle, roughly means an island inhabited by goats; it is also possible that the name came from the cult of the pagan goddess Capris, worshipped when the town was founded, a name many still remember today.
The most distinctive feature of Caorle is certainly the “living reef”, whose rocks are carefully carved and decorated by artists from all over the world, great masters who gather every July to bring their wonderful works to life. This “natural” art runs along the whole seafront, creating a wonderful effect against the clear sea behind it. It is all crowned by the splendid Church of the Madonna dell’Angelo, a small church that has watched over this little cultural landscape for centuries. The living reef has therefore become the symbol of Caorle and a favourite destination for most of the tourists who come to the town especially to admire these truly breathtaking sights.
Another symbol of Caorle is the Cathedral of Santo Stefano.
On entering the cathedral you immediately notice its refined Byzantine style. This particular art is reflected in every column and pillar, and even in the ancient vault and the large marble altar.
Besides the finely made paintings there are other precious works, such as the Pala d’Oro, an altar frontal of six gilded panels that came from distant Cyprus.
Next to the cathedral stands the imposing bell tower, built in 1070 and 48 metres high. Built in the same style, it shows how important the Roman influence of the time was; in summer the bell tower is also often the setting for firework displays.
Speaking of Venetian beauty, the web of lanes spreading through the old town cannot go unmentioned. In the Rio Terrà, lanes and little squares almost seem to embrace the shops that stand where there were once only canals. Originally Caorle was a small island crossed by little canals that were filled in over time (hence the name Rio Terrà, meaning filled-in canal), creating the space needed to build houses and other buildings and, later, a larger, modern old town.
Over the centuries many buildings rose in this centre, including churches and oratories, bearing witness to a constant historical and cultural development that makes Caorle a much visited and sought-after town.
Another popular destination and Caorle’s main business is the beach. It is divided into two sides, Ponente and Levante, according to their position in the town; every year both are crowded with holidaymakers, thanks to the inviting climate that always offers warm sunshine.
After the Second World War, when the town’s economy, based mainly on fishing, came to a severe halt, it was thanks to the beach that Caorle got going again, with a remarkable growth in tourism and the income that came with it. The bathing area stretches for more than 15 km along the Adriatic coast and, thanks to many well-equipped hotels, offers visitors an unforgettable holiday of leisure, comfort and plenty of lively entertainment.
This transformation began around 1911 with the opening of the first hotel and has continued to this day, bringing around 200 hotels, many campsites, holiday villages, high-quality residences and many other tourist facilities to this stretch of the Venetian coast.
Completing a work that is already magnificent is a pleasant and very inviting sea, which many say is the most beautiful and welcoming sea in the whole of the Veneto. Caorle can therefore boast an immense heritage that spreads to every place and building in its territory and makes it a special meeting of culture, charm and fun.
It is a precious and rare place, one of the first places in the north-east to visit if you want to rediscover the subtle pleasure of art.

Events in Caorle 2019:

• Easter in Caorle
• Ice rink in Caorle
• Christmas in Caorle
• New Year in Caorle
• Caorle Fish Festival
• Feast of the Madonna
• The burning of the bell tower

Pro Loco di Caorle - www.prolococaorle.it