Maniago (Manià in Friulian) is one of the most populous municipalities encountered on the Friulian route. The town is known for the art of blacksmithing, which gives it the name of the city of the knife. Many cutlery factories were implanted starting as early as medieval times, and even today the local economy hinges on metalworking. Maniago lies on a plain at the foot of the Carnic Pre-Alps and at the mouth of the Valcellina and Colvera valleys. Maniago’s main reliefs include Mount Jouf, Mount Fara, and Mount San Lorenzo. In its territory there are very different environments: in the northern part there are deciduous forests with lush undergrowth, while in the southern part there is the Magredi area. Valuable monuments are preserved in Maniago that show the town’s past and history over the centuries, especially during Venetian rule. The most representative sights and monuments are located in the historic center and surrounding streets; of particular interest is the Museum of the Art of Manufacture and Cutlery.From the Middle Ages to the present day, there are many cutlery factories that have fueled the economy of Maniago, exporting unique and quality products all over the world. Also dedicated to blades and knives is the Museum of the Art of Manufacture and Cutlery, which aims to nurture a sense of collective identity, recognizing in the tradition and history of Maniago’s cutlery makers one of the most important symbols of this community.
