Wood and forest heritage

The Central Directorate for the administration of the church owing fund deals with the administration of this heritage according to specific agreements signed up with the Corps of Forest Rangers responsible for maintenance and protection. Natural areas belonging to the Fec are the Tarvisio forest (in the province of Udine), Quarto di Santa Chiara’s estate, as part of an ancient feud, and Giardinello’s estate (in the province of Palermo).

Tarvisio forest estate is the largest and most important ‘portion’, owing to the richness and diversity of its flora and fauna. It extends over an area of 23,000 hectares with medium-high mountains between the Carnic Alps and the northern group of Julie Alps, on the Slovenian and Austrian border. An uncontaminated environment renowned for hosting both spruces, whose excellent quality wood is very much appreciated by manufacturers of music instruments, and capercaillies, the emblem, together with the spruce, of this forest.

In the forest area, well-defined tracks and paths and skiing facilities are available and a number of fortified places dating back to the First World War can also be found.