The best walks and hikes around Capriva Del Friuli

Part of the historic estate of Villa Russiz, the mausoleum was commissioned in 1894 by Countess Elvine Ritter de Zahony upon the death of her husband Theodor Karl Leopold Anton de la Tour Voivrènel in 1894. Completed in 1897, atop the hill overlooking the property, the small temple has a square plan with a polygonal apse on which an octagonal drum develops, surmounted by a hemispherical dome, clearly inspired by Italian architecture. Here the count's remains rested until the end of the First World War, before being transferred, next to Countess Elvine, to the park of Villa Patrizia in Treffen, Carinthia. The mausoleum is also remembered as the Chapel of Saint Joseph because, until 1927, a valuable marble statue depicting Saint Joseph by Bertel Thorvaldsen, a pupil of Canova, could be admired there.

The history of Villa Russiz begins in 1869, when Count Theodor de La Tour, an expert agricultural surveyor and winemaker, recognized the great potential of the territory, particularly suited for enology. Theodor laid solid foundations for the growth of Villa Russiz as a cutting-edge winery. During the Great War, Villa Russiz was transformed into a lazaretto and military hospital in the immediate rear of the Italian front. In the late 1950s, the management of the company was taken over by agronomist Edino Menotti. A patient restructuring process began, involving both the vineyards and the cellars, with the supportive collaboration of the entire community of Capriva del Friuli. Since then, the winery has received over 300 awards and recognitions at national and international levels, demonstrating the high quality of the wines produced. On the opposite front, in 1891, the Countess Elvine Ritter de Zahony from Gorizia founded an evangelical school for the poor in Russiz. The following years saw the expansion of educational, social, and welfare activities: a Froebel kindergarten, an evening school, a music school, and a reading room. Upon Elvine's death, Countess Adele Cerruti took over and carried forward Elvine's moral legacy and charitable work. From an orphanage, in the 1970s it acquired the legal status of a non-profit foundation, without ever interrupting its work of welcoming, assisting, and educating less fortunate children. In 2012, the "Casa Elvine" Family Home was established, approved to host 16 minors and equipped to carry out appropriate assistance and training activities. Today, the Villa Russiz Foundation manages the real estate and agricultural assets, investing the proceeds from management in the Family Home. The estate is a complex of buildings with two main centers: on one side, the farm with its winery and stables; on the other, the villa-castle with its park, college, church, and silk mill. Built between 1868 and 1872, it is an example of German-influenced neo-Gothic style – the "Spitzbogenstil" – or pointed arch style. Currently, the villa-castle houses a reception area for visitors, administrative and management offices. Some rooms are used for master's and post-graduate courses at the MIB School of Management in Trieste. https://www.villarussiz.it/

As part of the cross-border Collio Brda Welcome project, the Windows on Collio are panoramic viewpoints designed to offer the opportunity to admire the territory and take a break. There are about 50 installations in the shape of a frame or window, located in the most evocative spots.

Chapel of San Giuseppe (Mausoleum of Theodor): the interesting little church is located a little outside Capriva del Friuli - a beautiful spot with a beautiful view. The mausoleum was built by Contessa Elvine after the death of her husband Theodor and completed in 1897. It is also referred to as Cappella di San Guiseppe.

Beautiful paths overlooking neat vineyards

A straight line through the olive grove… that's what this gravel route offers. Along the way, there are many views of the Collio, its vineyards, wine fields, and hilltop villages. From east to west, the initial ride is easy, with the last 50 meters on coarse gravel and slightly slippery.

A fantastic panoramic trail on gravel, pebbles, and sand through the vineyards and along the vineyards. The panorama is enchanting and reflects the richness of the Collio region perfectly.

A straight line through the olive grove… that's what this gravel route offers. Along the way, there are many views of the Collio, its vineyards, wine fields, and hilltop villages. From east to west, the initial ride is easy, with the last 50 meters on coarse gravel and slightly slippery.