Located on the borders with Veneto, in the province of Pordenone, Sesto al Reghena boasts ancient Roman origins, judging by the archaeological finds and the meaning of its place name: Sesto in Latin indicates the military post at the sixth mile of the road that connected Concordia Sagittaria to Austria, Reghena refers instead to the river of the same name that still flows through the town.

Sesto is a small village that nevertheless preserves an extraordinary historical testimony: the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria in Sylvis, so called because in ancient times it was surrounded by a vast forest.

The history of the abbey begins in the 8th century with the Longobards, although its current appearance dates back to the Romanesque period, when it was transformed into a medieval castle with a defensive system of towers and moats, some traces of which can still be seen today.
In order to reach the charming little square overlooked by the Basilica, it is necessary to cross a small bridge – a replacement for the ancient drawbridge – and pass under the only remaining tower and then flank the bell tower – an ancient watchtower dating from around 1050 -.
The Abbey is also framed by a series of ancient buildings embellished with numerous coats of arms, symbols of prestigious noble families.

The interior of the Basilica is in Romanesque style with three naves and a raised presbytery: listening to ancient Gregorian chants, one can admire splendid 14th-century frescoes by painters belonging to the School of Giotto, quadrangular pillars, columns and round arches.

Under the presbytery is the access to the crypt, where the Urn of St. Anastasia, a splendid testimony of 8th century Longobard art, a 15th century wooden Pietà and the Annunciation from the beginning of the 14th century are preserved.

Once the visit to the basilica is over, it will be pleasant to walk in the shade of the trees in the abbey park and rest before resuming the itinerary to discover the surroundings of Sesto al Reghena among nature and historical monuments.

Landscapes rich in flora, fauna and resurgence watercourses, typical of the Friulian lowlands, can also be travelled by bicycle along the ‘Literary Itineraries’, places from which great Italian writers such as Ippolito Nievo and Pier Paolo Pasolini drew inspiration.

Following the course of the Reghena canal, one reaches Prati Burovich, and after crossing the bridge over the Lemene river, one reaches the ancient Stalis Mill, an evocative place of unexpected beauty.

Continuing in the direction of Cordovado, we reach the literary site par excellence in Friuli, the Venchiaredo Fountain, where Ippolito Nievo and Pier Paolo Pasolini drew inspiration.