Sagre da las Masanètes

The 'masanette' take centre stage

In Villaorba, a hamlet of the municipality of Basiliano in the province of Udine, one of the most beloved fish festivals in the Friulian plain returns every year in mid-October: the Sagre da las Masanètes. The name, in the Friulian language, refers to 'masanette', the small lagoon crabs that are the symbol specialty of the festival, served in salads or sauces.

A sea of fish specialties

In addition to 'masanette', the stalls offer a rich fish menu: calamari, cod with polenta, stewed cuttlefish, and many other Adriatic specialties, accompanied by a selection of regional wines and beers. Everything takes place under a large heated marquee, with an external wine and beer bar and outdoor seating.

Music, celebration, and community

The evenings are enlivened by live music with orchestras and bands, while the final Sunday features the traditional non-competitive walk "A Spas pai Curtii di Vilevuarbe", a route through the village courtyards. Organized by Pro Loco Villaorba, the festival is the result of the work of many volunteers and an eagerly awaited autumn event in Friuli.

In the heart of the Friulian plain

Villaorba di Basiliano is located in the central plain of Friuli, a few kilometers from Udine. The Sagre da las Masanètes, with its Friulian name and fish dishes, tells of the link between the hinterland and the lagoon, in a festival that is also a celebration of local culture and language.