History

Like many other parts of Venice, Caorle Altanea is built on the original lagoon. The first evidence of buildings in this area dates from the end of the 15th century. In the 16th century, the city gained historical importance thanks to the episcopal port and the newly built church. Before the First World War, swamps began to dry out in the area, this work ended between 1950 and 1965. At first, the area was used for agriculture (especially cattle breeding and milk and cheese production), but in the 90s, the first accommodation facilities began to be built here for tourists and from the very beginning everything was conceived as an ideal holiday destination for a family holiday with children. And so one of the most popular northern Italian seaside resorts was created on a green field, which now offers two quality 4 * hotels, two campsites and 17 residences with swimming pools.

The name Caorle Altanea is probably derived from Altano, which means “sea wind blowing from the east”. Another linguistic interest is the fact that Altanea and Caorle used a unique dialect at the time, which was different from the dialect used in the rest of the Venetian region.

The city of Caorle was founded by the Romans around 40 BC under the name “Caprulae”. This name, meaning “island of goats”, was derived from the original inhabitants of the settlement – goatherds and shepherds. In the 5th century AD Caorle became an important commercial center, like the whole of the then Venetian Republic to which it belonged. In the War of Independence, which ended in 1866, however, Caorle managed to establish a consortium of fishermen, the so-called “Consorzio Peshereccio”. As a result, the city really began to flourish and expanded significantly – to this day, every morning, fishermen go to the port in the very center of Caorle and offer them for sale next to the boat. Although the city was damaged during both world wars, it is nevertheless sought after for several monuments, of which we recommend, for example, St. Stephen’s Cathedral or the Church of the Virgin Mary.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

This cathedral has dominated the city since 1038. It is built in the Byzantine style and includes a tower with a bell tower, which is 48 meters high and is considered unique in Europe. The facade of the cathedral is decorated with two beautiful reliefs at the main gate and its inner walls are decorated with original frescoes, the most famous of which is the “Madonna on the Throne” from 1300. The cathedral is open daily from 8:30 to 18:30 and is accessible free of charge.

Church of the Virgin Mary

This church is enchanting mainly because it is located on the coast. Its existence dates to the Middle Ages, but in its current form it has stood since the 18th century. An interesting Christian legend is attached to the church about fishermen who saw a light at sea, to which they came and found a statue of the Virgin Mary. They loaded this statue into a ship and took it home, but it was too heavy, so it was difficult to get it ashore, where they could no longer move it. This church now stands where the statue remained.