Envision a place where time has paused. This is Lio Piccolo. This unique hamlet resides in the Venetian lagoon. It is a part of Cavallino Treporti. Lio Piccolo is not far from Jesolo. Narrow canals divide its several small islets.
Lio Piccolo offers a fascinating destination. Nature lovers find refreshment and tradition here. You can discover a bit of history. There are privileged spots to observe lagoon flora and fauna. This semi-inhabited rural hamlet centers on a small square.
The 17th-century church stands here. It is dedicated to Santa Maria della Neve. The Bell Tower is also in the square. You can access it by reservation. Palazzetto Boldù dates from the late 17th century. A few buildings surround the square. One is an agritourism spot. Here you can enjoy typical lagoon cuisine.
Do you love long walks? How about bike rides? If you enjoy the silence of nature, Lio Piccolo is for you. Nature will pleasantly surprise you with seasonal inhabitants. You can cycle here from Jesolo Paese or Jesolo Lido. Follow the Sile river’s course. Alternatively, come directly from Cavallino-Treporti, at Cà Savio. From there, you can also walk into the lagoon.
This tour has no technical difficulties. It is rich in scenic and faunal beauty. Depending on the time of year, you might see grey herons. Swans and egrets are common. Keep an eye out for kingfishers and ducks. Cormorants, pheasants and hares also live here. You might spot hoopoes, avocets, and black-winged stilts. Near the northernmost lagoon, via Cristo Re, pink flamingos gather.
Lio Piccolo is a verdant and unspoiled place. Nature reigns supreme. Time seems to stand still. It is a unique environment. The landscape is rich. The ecosystems and local traditions are special.
Lio Piccolo is the oldest settlement in the area. It is surrounded by “valli”. These lagoon areas have been used as fishing grounds since the year 1000. Look closely. You might spot them.
Pink flamingos are affectionate and elegant. They look at their reflections in the lagoon’s brackish waters. This is their natural oasis. Beware! With one beat of their wings, they move easily. They search for appetizing snacks.
I strongly recommend visiting Lio Piccolo by bike. Let the sounds of hawks and seagulls accompany your trip. Coots and herons also fill the air with sound.
Biking through Cà Savio is a treat. It is famous for natural dunes and the wood. The wood degrades to the sea. Cross the Pordelio canal to visit Treporti village. You will cross the barrens and Venetian canals. Eventually, you will reach Piazza del Prà.
Arriving at Lio Piccolo, you will find a fraction of just 500 inhabitants. Its tiny center welcomes you. It consists of a small square, a small church, and an Armenian-style bell tower. Everything is small and human-sized. Perhaps that’s why the village is called Lio Piccolo.
As soon as you leave the center of Lio Piccolo, you immerse into unspoiled nature. You are wrapped in a quiet calm. Only the patter of your footsteps interrupts it. Remember your camera. You might catch the fabulous pink flamingos. A flock of pink flamingos chose Lio Piccolo’s sandbars as their home a few years ago. It’s worth it if you pick the right season.
These flamingos aren’t as pink as you might think. They are more white. This is because of what they eat in the lagoon. There are no shrimps or organisms containing carotenoids in this area. So, their feathers don’t color up. But they are still beautifully elegant. Lio Piccolo offers a journey back in time. It is thanks to its uncontaminated environment. The exciting history, culture, and tradition also play their part.