Tarvisio

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Tarvisio-Stemma.png official_name = Comune di Tarvisio
region = Friuli-Venezia Giulia
province = Udine (UD)
elevation_m = 754
area_total_km2 = 205
population_as_of = 2004
population_total = 5021
population_density_km2 = 25
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|46|30|N|13|34|E|region:IT_type:city(2546807)
frazioni = Tarvisio Centrale, Camporosso in Valcanale, Cave del Predil, Coccau, Fusine in Val Romana, Monte Lussari, Muda, Plezzut, Poscolle, Rutte, Sant'Antonio
telephone = 0428
postalcode = 33018
gentilic = Tarvisiani
saint = Saint Peter and Saint Paul
day = June 29
mayor = Renato Carlantoni (FI)
website = [http://www.comuneditarvisio.com www.comuneditarvisio.com]

Tarvisio (German and Friulian: "Tarvis", Slovenian: "Trbiž") is a town in Italy located in the northeastern part of the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in the province of Udine, at the border of both Austria and Slovenia, in the Val Canale. It is characterized by its location at the tripoint of Latin, Germanic and Slavic Europe.As a place upon ancient trade routes Tarvisio's roots date back to Roman times. In 1007 Emperor Henry II furnished the newly created Archdiocese of Bamberg with the estates, which had considerable importance because of nearby ore mines and ironworks, especially around the village of Fusine ("Weißenfels"/"Bela Peč"). In 1758 the bishop sold Tarvisio to the Habsburgs and until 1918 it was part of the Duchy of Carinthia. It received town privileges in 1909.

For decades, Tarvisio benefited economically from people coming from Austria and Yugoslavia for shopping trips. However trade at the notorious "Rag Market" diminuished after the Schengen Agreement and the establishment of the Eurozone. Today, tourism and winter sports in the Karavanke, the Carnic Alps and the Julian Alps have become important industries. Tarvisio is known for its profound alpine snow which attracts many tourists for skiing and snowboarding, mainly schools. It was host to the 2003 Winter Universiade and the Women's 2007 Alpine Skiing World Cup.

Tarvisio also features the parish church Saints Peter and Paul built in the 15th century as well as sceneries like the "Fusine laghi" mountain lakes. At the summit of the 1789 m / 5870 ft Monte Lussari ("Luschariberg"/"Svete Višarje") is a pilgrimage church, where according to legend in 1360 a shepherd discovered a statue of Virgin Mary. The church and the nearby ski centre can be reached by cable car from Malborghetto Valbruna. The area around the Sella Nevea mountain pass between Tarvisio and Chiusaforte is also a popular ski resort.

Transportation

Tarvisio has access to the "A23 Alpe-Adria" autostrada (European route E55) running from the Austrian "A2 Süd Autobahn" to Udine and the A4 autostrada at Palmanova. The Tarvisio railway station is located at the new "Pontebbana" line from Villach to Udine opened in 2000, that replaced the old k.k. "Staatsbahn" built in 1879.