The town's name has clear Latin origins and derives from "Pratum" (lawn). Municipality in the province of Pordenone, located on the border with the region of Veneto, it is composed of a main center, divided into two districts, Prata di Sopra (upper) and Prata di Sotto (lower), and from several nearby villages. Formerly devoted mainly to handicrafts and agriculture, today it is an important industrial center.
The town, from its foundation, was linked to the accounts of Prata that recieved it in fief: a family, whose presence is documented since the early XII century. A representative of the Counts of Prata, Gabriele, provoked the attack and was responsible of the destruction of the local castle by the troops of Treviso in the XIII century. The attack was caused by the alliance of Counts with the Bishops of Belluno and Feltre. Another member of the family, Guecello II, became mayor of Padua and supported Ezzelino da Romano in an attempt to conquer the whole region. In the middle of the XIII century, the Patriarch of Aquileia regained control of the area, forcing the lords of Prata to a peace agreement, highly disadvantageous for them. In the XV century the Prata were directly involved in the conflict between the Popes and anti-Popes, which produced the reaction of the Patriarch of Venice, who had the whole area devastated. In the XV century, like many other towns in Friuli were submitted to the domain of the Venetian Serenissima Republic and the fief of Prada was granted to the Family Floridi of Spilimbergo.
Attractions:
- the Parish Church, renovated and enlarged in the XVIII century, features a facade in Neoclassical style, delimited by engraved columns provided with capitals. Inside are preserved statues of the artist Modolo completed in 1748, a XVII century altarpiece by the Narvesa, and another XVIII century one painted by Amigoni, a XIX century fresco of Fabris and an altarpiece by Gavagnin;
- the temple of the Knights of St. John, built in the XVI century, contains valuable sculptures and artworks in Gothic style of XIV century;
- the capital with Madonna and Child, located in front of Palazzo Brunetta. It is a XVI century painting, masterpiece of the artist Tolmezzo;
- the Church of Saints Simon and Jude, with its valuable late XV century frescoes, attributed to Gorizio;
- Villa Brunetta with its gardens adorned with statues and its frescoed parlors;
- the XVI century Villa Morosini Memmo, today seat of the Town Hall.