The lands of Udine Dominated by a hill and an impressive castle, Udine combines elegant architecture with the warm, rustic atmosphere of its osterie. A city packed with art and culture, home to traditional celebrations and international events. Udine, art and good living dine is an elegant and lively city, where sophisticated architecture exists side-by- U side with rustic taverns (the osterie), with art-packed museums, churches and palazzos, and a culture brought to life by far-reaching events, dedicated to films, literature and gastronomy. This is the place for experiencing authentic Friulian life. The local DNA has been written by many different peoples, and this wealth is expressed in language, gastronomy, in the traditional processing of stone, wood and precious metals, and in ancient religious celebrations. Udine is dominated by a castle that overlooks the red and brown roofs of the whole city. The view from the hill on which the castle stands extends to the gently rolling hills, which make way for the ravishing panorama of the Prealps and Alps a little further to the north. The city’s art also embraces different eras and genres. The most famous of Udine’s great artists is Giambattista Tiepolo: one of the greatest European masters of the 18th century, who demonstrated the power of his painterly skill in Udine. The city also plays host to countless concerts, theatre performances and all kinds of events. It is always ready to celebrate, with a crowded calendar of outdoor events, including Friuli Doc, a four-day marathon during which visitors can sample wine and food specialities from all over the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. Moreover, you cannot leave Udine without trying the excellent local wines at one of the countless osterie dotted around the old town, where the local people meet to relax and enjoy life. 3 Thousands of historical treasures just waiting to be discovered Udine in “the most beautiful Venetian square on the mainland”, the picturesque alleyways with their arches, the warm and imposing Cathedral (Duomo), housing some of Tiepolo’s masterpieces, and Piazza San Giacomo, the dynamic heart of the city. A walk back through history isit Udine and immerse yourself in Raphael. However, the heart of the city is the V its rich and colourful past. Why not castle, built at the end of the 16th century and follow an interesting itinerary that currently home to Udine’s Civici Musei e starts at Porta Aquileia, with its characteristic Gallerie di Storia ed Arte di Udine (Civic Ghibelline crenellations, then passes Museums and Galleries of History and Art), the Chiesa della Beata Vergine del Carmine, with prestigious museum collections and a church dating back to the 16th century, interiors embellished with frescoes by whose original beauty has been added with Pomponio Amalteo, Grassi, Francesco Floreani various treasures over the years. History can and Giambattista Tiepolo. Having crossed Via be breathed in, not only in the religious Mercatovecchio, rich in interesting historical buildings, but also by simply walking down buildings, you come to the real beating heart Via Aquileia, Via Vittorio Veneto, Via Manin of the city: Piazza Matteotti, also known as and Via Mercatovecchio, and through Piazza Piazza San Giacomo or Piazza delle Erbe, Duomo, Piazza San Giacomo and Piazza one of the busiest places in the city and home Libertà, also known as “the most beautiful to the fountain by Giovanni da Udine (1543). Venetian square on the mainland”, overlooked The square also hosts a picturesque antiques by the Loggia del Lionello (1448), a market on the first Sunday of every month. splendid example of Venetian From Piazzetta Lionello, home to the Town Gothic architecture, the Hall designed by the Friulian architect Loggiato di San Raimondo D’Aronco, you move on to Piazza Giovanni and the del Duomo, with the majestic religious Clock Tower, a building dedicated to Saint Mary. The Cathedral 16th century houses sculptures by Torretti, Bernardino structure da Bissone and Daniele Antonini, as well by Giovanni as beautiful frescoes by important artists da Udine, such as Vitale da Bologna, Pomponio Amalteo a pupil of and the aforementioned Giambattista Tiepolo. 4 5 t just twenty kilometres from Udine, for around two months. In fact, it was here Codroipo A you find the wonderful Villa Manin that the Treaty of Campo Formio was signed in Passariano, a grandiose and between France and Austria. Moreover, harmonious complex built by the powerful during the First World War, the Austrian Manin family, between the 17th and 18th and German emperors met here. The villa Lombard centuries. The building is one of the most gardens are beautiful, rich in rare botanical prestigious residences in the Friuli Venezia species and full of charming, picturesque Giulia Region and can, without a doubt, corners: small lakes, hills and mythological Cividale be considered as the greatest example sculptural groups. Today the villa hosts of a Veneto-style villa in the region. major international exhibitions, organised del Friuli This architectural jewel was home to by the Contemporary Art Centre, as well character the last Doge of Venice, Ludovico Manin. as other events of great interest. It then went on to become the base For further information: of Napoleon Bonaparte, who stayed there www.villamanincontemporanea.it Julius Caesar’s ividale del Friuli, founded in 53 B.C. Cividale is famous for its Oratorio di Santa C by Caesar with the name of Forum Maria in Valle, better known as the Lombard Forum Iulii is Iulli, from which Friuli takes its name, Temple, with its beautiful 8th century stucco home to countless is home to some extremely interesting decorations. It is one of the most mysterious historical monuments. Over the centuries, monuments of the High Middle Ages. artistic treasures. its position has made it a meeting place Nearby is the symbol of the town: Highlights Capital of the first for various cultures, from the Roman culture the famous Devil’s Bridge. Legend has it to the Lombard culture and the Patriarchy that this bridge was built in a single night Other attractions Lombard duchy of Aquileia, which contributed to making by the devil himself. In exchange, he asked Other prestigious villas in and around in Italy, it is it one of the artistic treasures of the Friuli the city for the soul of the first inhabitant Udine include the Villa Ottelio in Venezia Giulia Region. Its numerous of Cividale to cross the bridge. The crafty Ariis, the only remaining evidence the location attractions include the Cathedral, to which townsfolk pushed a cat onto the bridge, of the ancient fourteenth century of the National two important collections are annexed: and the beaten devil could do nothing but Venetian castle of Savorgnan, and the Strassoldo Archaeology the Treasury and the Christian Museum. make his exit. The Celtic Hypogeum, which hamlet, where two ancient “water The Palazzo dei Provveditori, which hosts was probably a Roman prison, is another castles” became stately homes Museum, the the National Archaeology Museum, also unmissable site. It comprises an interesting in the 18th century. Devil’s Bridge overlooks the same complex of artificial caves square. and underground areas. and the Lombard Splendour Temple, one of the most mysterious monuments of the High Middle Ages. The beautiful Villa Manin was home to the last Doge of Venice, provided Napoleon Bonaparte with a place to stay and was the meeting place of the Emperors of Austria and Germany. Moreover, this palace-like villa boasts beautiful gardens packed with rare plants. 6 7 San Daniele del Friuli Endless views over gently rolling hills, an ancient library with priceless illuminated manuscripts and the most beautiful Renaissance fresco cycle in the region. These are just some of the treasures found in the home town of San Daniele ham. tanding on a hill, San Daniele del Friuli is a town of great beauty. It boasts endless S views over the surrounding moraine slopes of the Friuli hills. The town is considered to be one of the greatest treasures in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and is internationally famous for its unrivalled ham, the fruit of an age-old tradition and unique microclimate. Every year, in June, the welcoming old town, with its ancient stately palazzos, hosts the “Aria di Festa” festival in honour of this product, while the various ham factories throw open their doors. San Daniele is also home to one of the most prestigious libraries in Italy, which is also the oldest library in the region: the fifteenth century Guarneriana Library, which conserves priceless illuminated manuscripts studied Impregnable by scholars from all over the world. Don’t miss a visit to the 18th-century Cathedral and the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate, which houses the most beautiful Renaissance fresco cycle in Friuli Venezia Giulia Region. This cycle is the work of Pellegrino da San Daniele and earned the church the title fortress Palmanova of the “Little Sistine Chapel of Friuli”. almanova is a fortified town P designed to defend the regional Highlights borders against the threat of the Turks. Its unique layout takes on the Historical re-enactment form of a perfectly symmetrical star Over two hundred re- with nine points and a central square, th enactors in 17 -century from which six radial streets depart. Attractions costume fill the square on the second weekend The old town can be accessed through in July, as part of the three Monumental Gates: Porta Aquileia, historical re-enactment Porta Udine and Porta Cividale, whilst that commemorates the all the roads lead to the Piazza Grande, first time the standard of to savour the ancient parade ground. the Venetian Republic was The piazza is in the shape of a perfect raised above the fortress.