Sacile is a northern Veneto town built on two islets set in the river livenza. It has a gracefully sweet historic centre filled with aristocratic palaces, porticos, bridges and fine churches with the steep spires so characteristic of this region of Italy.

We visited Sacile on its most characteristic day, the ‘sagra degli oisei’, or bird festival. I was wary, however, of joining in a festa which was originally used for the hunting of our feathered friends. Fortunately, the emphasis has now been put on conservation and there is a specific forestry agency which hunts out illegal hunters and which held a display of their work at the sagra.

Less pleasing to many people would have been the panoply of caged birds for sale. Like my namesake I would only buy such poor creatures to set them free afterwards.

There were, however, many other stalls selling local produce and handicrafts for those who disagree with caged pets.

It is a fact that attitudes are changing and the festa degli oisei (Venetian for bird) has adapted itself in the face of animal rights movements.

The sagra’s best song bird competition I missed. It would no doubt have pleased the likes of composer Messiaen. But I’m sure I’ll be back to explore this lovely pre-alpine area more fully.

For me the Sacile event opened my eyes to yet another off the tourist track and highly evocative town which fully displays the glory the old Venetian republic even in its smaller towns. No wonder Sacile is also called ‘il giardino della serenissima’. (the garden of the most serene republic of Venice).