# Erto e Casso

> Italian comune

**Wikidata**: [Q53167](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q53167)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erto_e_Casso)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/erto-e-casso

## Summary
Erto e Casso is a small Italian *comune* (municipality) located in the Province of Pordenone, within the Friuli–Venezia Giulia region. It is known for its rural setting and proximity to the historic Vajont Dam, a disused structure tied to a significant 20th-century disaster.

## Key Facts
- **Type:** Italian *comune* (municipality)
- **Location:** Province of Pordenone, Friuli–Venezia Giulia, Italy
- **Coordinates:** 46.2744266° N, 12.3720879° E
- **Population:** 381 (varies slightly between 371–381 in different records)
- **Website:** [http://www.comune.ertoecasso.pn.it](http://www.comune.ertoecasso.pn.it)
- **Settlements:** Includes the village of Casso
- **Notable Landmark:** Vajont Dam (disused)
- **Administrative Context:** Part of Italy’s regional decentralization system
- **Inception of Pordenone Province:** July 1, 2020 (as a regional entity)

## FAQs
**Where is Erto e Casso located?**
Erto e Casso is situated in the Province of Pordenone, within the Friuli–Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy. It lies near the Vajont Dam, a site of historical significance.

**What is the population of Erto e Casso?**
The municipality has a small population, recorded at approximately 381 residents, though figures vary slightly between 371 and 381 in different sources.

**What is the Vajont Dam, and how is it connected to Erto e Casso?**
The Vajont Dam is a disused dam located near Erto e Casso. It is infamous for the 1963 Vajont Dam disaster, a catastrophic landslide-induced flood that caused significant loss of life and reshaped the region’s history.

**When was the Province of Pordenone established?**
The Province of Pordenone, under which Erto e Casso falls, was formally established as a regional decentralization entity on July 1, 2020.

**What language is spoken in Erto e Casso?**
As part of Italy, the official language is Italian, though regional dialects and languages like Friulian may also be spoken locally.

## Why It Matters
Erto e Casso holds historical and cultural significance due to its association with the Vajont Dam disaster, one of Italy’s most devastating industrial tragedies. The municipality serves as a reminder of the intersection between human engineering and natural forces, contributing to discussions on environmental safety and disaster management. Its rural setting and small population also reflect the broader demographic and administrative dynamics of Italy’s northeastern regions.

## Notable For
- **Proximity to the Vajont Dam:** A key landmark tied to a major 20th-century disaster.
- **Small Population:** Represents the rural and less densely populated areas of Italy.
- **Administrative Context:** Part of the Province of Pordenone, a relatively new regional entity.
- **Cultural Heritage:** Reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of Friuli–Venezia Giulia.

## Body
### Geography and Location
Erto e Casso is located in the northeastern part of Italy, within the Province of Pordenone in the Friuli–Venezia Giulia region. Its coordinates are 46.2744266° N, 12.3720879° E. The municipality includes the village of Casso and is situated near the Vajont Dam, a disused structure that remains a significant historical site.

### Population and Demographics
The population of Erto e Casso is small, with records indicating approximately 381 residents. Variations in population counts (371–381) suggest minor fluctuations, typical of rural municipalities. The demographic profile aligns with Italy’s broader trend of rural depopulation and aging communities.

### Historical Context: The Vajont Dam
The Vajont Dam, located near Erto e Casso, is a critical historical landmark. Constructed in the 1950s, the dam was intended to provide hydroelectric power but became infamous for the 1963 disaster. A massive landslide caused a catastrophic flood, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The event remains a pivotal case study in engineering and disaster management.

### Administrative Structure
Erto e Casso is part of the Province of Pordenone, which was established as a regional decentralization entity on July 1, 2020. This administrative context reflects Italy’s ongoing efforts to streamline local governance and regional autonomy.

### Language and Culture
As an Italian municipality, the official language of Erto e Casso is Italian. However, the region’s cultural heritage includes influences from Friulian and other regional languages, reflecting the linguistic diversity of Friuli–Venezia Giulia.

### Infrastructure and Connectivity
The municipality’s website ([http://www.comune.ertoecasso.pn.it](http://www.comune.ertoecasso.pn.it)) serves as a primary digital resource for local governance and community information. The area’s rural nature means infrastructure is modest, with connectivity and services tailored to a small population.

### Related Entities
- **Casso:** A human settlement within Erto e Casso.
- **Vajont Dam:** A disused dam near the municipality, tied to historical significance.
- **Province of Pordenone:** The broader administrative region encompassing Erto e Casso.

### Significance in Italian History
Erto e Casso’s association with the Vajont Dam disaster underscores its role in Italy’s environmental and industrial history. The municipality serves as a site of remembrance and a case study in the consequences of unchecked engineering ambitions in fragile ecosystems.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Italian National Institute of Statistics
4. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
5. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
6. GeoNames
7. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
8. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
9. Seismic classification in Italy
10. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)