Discover Cortellazzo: Piave Estuary, Coast and Laguna del Mort

Cortellazzo combines a maritime history with a river estuary, coast, dunes and a distinctive lagoon landscape. The town lies where the Cavetta Canal flows into the Piave, near the river estuary. Its territory stretches to the sea near Jesolo Pineta and partly includes the Laguna del Mort. This gives Cortellazzo several different facets for a stay: historic traces, paths through the landscape, fishing traditions and views of waterways and the coast.

History between the Canal and the Piave

The village of Cortellazzo developed after 1601, when the Serenissima completed the Cavetta Canal to improve connections between the Venetian Lagoon and Friuli. The early settlement included a small church dedicated to Madonna del Rosario, built in 1698. More recent local history is also visible: the renovation project for the building known as the Ex Caserma di Cortellazzo was completed in summer 2024.

During the First World War, Cortellazzo was located on the Piave Front and was the scene of one of the decisive moments of the war. Naval officer Andrea Bafile fell in combat in the port of Cortellazzo. In addition, this part of the Jesolo area contains several forts or casemates used by the army of the Kingdom of Italy, particularly after the defeat at Caporetto and the establishment of the Piave Front to defend the coast. The forts and casemates are therefore part of the military history of the coast and the Piave Front.

Lagoon, dunes and coastal landscape

The area around Cortellazzo is home to the Laguna del Mort, a small lagoon with shallow, calm water and shallow, sandy beds. The beds are rich in phytoplankton, and the lagoon is of considerable ecological and faunal interest. It lies partly within the territory of Cortellazzo. At the same time, the Laguna del Mort is a Site of Community Importance.

At the open public beach at the Piave Estuary, a footpath leads along wooden walkways beside the sand dunes and through the paths of the wild pine forest. The characteristic fishing marina of Cortellazzo offers impressive views at sunrise and sunset. Fishing houses and the canals that still cross the town preserve the character of its maritime past.

Fishing, festivals and routes through Veneto

Cortellazzo has a rich culinary tradition connected with fishing. This connection is also evident at the Feste Marinare in Cortellazzo, a summer tradition featuring freshly prepared fish at covered food stalls, along with music and dancing. The town is also an important hub for cycling: it connects Lido di Jesolo with Caorle, as well as with San Donà di Piave along the Piave.

If you would like to make further comparisons within the wider selection of destinations, you can also discover Lido Di Jesolo.

For the wider travel overview: Jesolo.