The casoni of the Caorle lagoon

The casoni of Caorle: find out about the fishermen’s island

The history of the casoni in the Caorle Lagoon goes back a long way into the mists of time and it is impossible to trace the first construction of these rustic dwellings that for centuries housed Caorle families.
The casone is a kind of hut built on a wooden structure and covered with bundles of marsh cane, a very simple material that is easily found in the lagoon.

How were the casoni built?

The building of the casone is characteristic: a rectangle with the two shorter sides arranged in a semicircle; an entrance door, strictly positioned towards the south-west, thus opposing the icy wind from the opposite side (the well-known Bora).

The building was placed on one of the many tiny islets within the lagoon; before construction began, the islet (in local dialect: “sopa”) was built with soil taken from the vicinity, to minimise flooding in the event of unusual high tides. Inside the casone, a raised mound of earth would serve as a hearth, while outside, a small berth was built for the fisherman’s boat.

THE CASONI OF CAORLE

The importance of the casoni in the Lagoon

The casoni, spread throughout the Caorle Lagoon, were the first homes of these people. Most were born here and lived there all their lives until the moment of their passing away.

The fisherman would spend his day going out fishing in the lagoon with his small boat, which is why he never ventured out to sea; after all, the lagoon was a very propitious place because it was rich in fish that allowed the entire family to survive, albeit meagrely. The fisherman’s wife lived in the small area of the islet, looking after the children who, by the time they were 7 or 8 years old, were already collaborating in their father’s work; in addition to cooking, the woman’s task was also to arrange the nets and mend the frequent tears in the mesh.

The last casoni, according to this concept of habitation, were only abandoned by its residents in the immediate post-war period, and thus in the second half of the 1940s.

casone dell'isola dei pescatori a caorle

Typical Caorle "casone"

Fishermen's Island

Discovering the "casoni" of the Caorle Lagoon

The casoni of the Caorle lagoon today

Currently, these structures are occasionally inhabited by the last fishermen of the lagoon, but mainly by the descendants of the historical families of Caorle, all people who have known, since childhood, the difficulties of fishing and the hardship of a difficult life.

The downside is that today, few structures are maintained as they once were for resting during fishing periods, while many others are the meeting point for owners and friends to gather over generous grills of freshly caught fish.

WHERE ARE THE CASONI OF CAORLE

How to get to the Fishermen’s Island

The most characteristic casoni are located within the lagoon channels. To see them, you would need a boat as well as knowledge of the routes, but often, when you arrive at the islet in question and the small mooring jetty, you find yourself in front of a clear sign prohibiting access to outsiders. This is why, in most cases, the building can be observed only from the outside.

You can get to the island, which is actually on the mainland, by car or bike. We advise you to start from the square in front of the Caorle stadium, walk along the Saetta canal towards east and after a couple of kilometres you will easily get there.

When you reach the Fishermen’s Island, it becomes necessary to take the embankment path that leads towards the sea and the Falconare district. The narrow lane, just over a kilometre long, is practicable by bike but more easily (and advisable) on foot.

sentiero che porta all'isola dei pescatori a caorle

Route to the casoni of Caorle

On your right there is an extensive countryside, but on your left you can enjoy a view of the lagoon that will remain unforgettable.

This embankment, in fact, separates the mainland from the lagoon and on your left you will see a succession of casoni, huts for sheltering the “batèe”, the tiny fishing boats.

The “casoni”, as well as the small moorings, are in contact with the water of the wide channel that flows into the Adriatic sea; on the opposite shore, you can see the Brussa beach, while numerous water birds often flit over the water.

A sight not to be missed, especially if you enjoy strolling in the early hours of the morning and enjoying a spectacular and colourful sunrise.

Caorle Lagoon

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