Udine

<< Friuli Venezia Giulia

Udine is a city located at the center of Friuli Venezia Giulia and it’s the historical capital of Friuli. Inhabited since prehistoric times, Udine only rose to prominence as the most important city in the area in the Late Middle Ages, with the decline of Aquileia and Cividale del Friuli. Udine was part of the Republic of Venice from 1420 until 1797 and, after the French and Austrian occupation, it joined Italy in 1866. Being close to the frontline, Udine became the seat of the Italian command during World War I. Now it’s an important regional center of commerce, industry, and tourism.

✪ Piazza della Libertà

Piazza della Libertà is the main square of Udine and it is noted for its beauty and Venetian-style buildings. The square is adorned with various monuments and surrounded by historic palaces. The most notable of these is Loggia del Lionello, a beautiful Gothic palace originally erected in the 15th century and later expanded and reworked. It is now considered as one of the most iconic symbols of Udine. Right in front of Loggia del Lionello is Loggia di San Giovanni, a 16th-century building topped with a clock tower. Adjacent to Loggia di San Giovanni is Arco Bollani, a triumphal arch designed by Palladio at the start of the road that leads to the castle.

✪ Udine Castle

The Udine Castle is located on top of a hill in the center of the city, and it is connected to Piazza della Libertà through an arched pathway called Loggia del Lippomano. It was originally erected as a fortress during the Middle Ages but it was rebuilt as a palace after the 1511 earthquake that destroyed the previous structure. For centuries it hosted the local parliament, one of the oldest ones in the world, and now it has been turned into a museum. As the seat of the Civic Museums and Galleries of History and Art (Civici Musei e Gallerie di Storia e Arte), it houses exhibitions on local history, archaeology, art, prints, and photography, among others.

Udine Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata

The Udine Cathedral is the main religious site in the city and it was built in Romanesque and Gothic style between the 13th and 14th century. The facade features elaborate decorations, while the Baroque interior is richly adorned and hosts several frescoes and artworks, including some by Tiepolo. The church includes the Museo del Duomo, a museum of religious art housing various medieval artworks.

Church of Santa Maria di Castello

The Church of Santa Maria di Castello is the oldest surviving religious building in Udine and it is located next to the castle. Built during the Middle Ages and restored several times, it hosts fresoces dating from the 13th century.

Diocesan Museum and Tiepolo Galleries

The Diocesan Museum and Tiepolo Galleries (Museo Diocesano e Gallerie del Tiepolo) is an art museum hosted in the historic Palazzo Patriarcale. The museum houses a collection of religious art and it features a spectacular series of frescoes by Tiepolo and a beautiful ancient library.

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Udine (Museo di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) is a collection of paintings, sculptures, and other artworks by Italian and foreign artists mainly from the 20th century. The museum is housed inside the historic Casa Cavazzini, a 16th-century palace adorned with frescoes.

Ethnographic Museum of Friuli

The Ethnographic Museum of Friuli (Museo Etnografico del Friuli) is a museum displaying the rich tradition and culture of Friuli. It houses a varied collection of objects related to the daily life and work of the people of Friuli.

Tempio Ossario dei Caduti d’Italia

The Tempio Ossario dei Caduti d’Italia is a church and military memorial built in the 1930s. It houses a huge crypt hosting the remains of over 25,000 Italian soldiers who died in World War I.