Marano Lagoon

The westernmost island is Anfora, which acquired strategic importance in 1866 when it became the boundary between Italy and the Austrian Empire, which became Austria-Hungary in 1867.

After a land reclamation project at the island of Fossalon which took place in the first half of the 20th century, the East Lagoon's water area is substantially halved.

Between the islands stands Barbana, which is home to the 1,500-year-old Sanctuary of Mary, Mother of Jesus and is permanently inhabited by a community of Franciscan friars.

The island is visited each year during the celebration of the Perdòn di Barban, a pilgrimage which on the first Sunday in July which includes a procession in the lagoon from Grado to Barbana of boats decorated with flags .

[6] The island of Schiusa, recently created with fill material and now entirely urbanized and integrated with Grado, lies in the East Lagoon.

This section starts on the southern side with Lignano Sabbiadoro, a resort city developed mainly after World War II.

The Marano section stretches to the Palud de Soto near Porto Buso and the island of Anfora, next to the mouth of the small river Aussa.

The various structures of Aprilia Marittima, the harbour Marina Punta Faro, and the docks Porto Vecchio are strategically positioned around and near the southern areas of the Marano Lagoon.