[ About Udine ]
Udine is a comune in the north eastern region of Italy that sits in close proximity to the Slovenian border. It lies in-between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps and has a current population of approximately 99,000. This city has an ancient history and has influences from Attila the Hun, the Republic of Venice and the Kings of Lombard.
Udine rose to prominence during the 1700’s and was eventually integrated into the Kingdom of Italy in 1866. The economy of Udine centres on commerce, and mechanical and iron manufacturing industries. For the intrepid tourist, Udine has a wide range of interesting historical sites such as the Duomo, Castle and beautiful Loggia del Lionello. Furthermore, several stunning Piazzas were created during the Venetian reign such as the Piazza Matteotti. Udine also has several beautiful parks and a handful of intriguing museums.
Udine Cathedral
This delightful cathedral is the central religious structure of Udine and is an impressive church. Located in the self-titled Piazza del Duomo, the cathedral is easily accessible.The front façade of this huge structure features several beautiful rose windows, arched designs and a beautiful carved wooden door.
Inside the cathedral is a plethora of fantastic decoration including frescos from Giovanni Tiepolo and Maffeo Verona. Furthermore, there are several ornate sculptures and the ceilings are packed full for gorgeous artwork depicting various religious scenes.
Although this cathedral was constructed in the 13th century, it still retains its original beauty and splendour.
Castle of Udine
In the centre of the historic old town is the wonderful Castle of Udine.This beautiful structure was created in 1517 but wasn’t completed until 50 years after.With a front façade that features some stunning arches, a central tower and a series of windows, the castle is one of the premier buildings in the city.
At the rear of the castle is a gorgeous portico lined with a long row of ornate arches – this is a delightful place to walk through on a summer’s day.Within the main building of the castle is the interesting Art and History museum that contains a plethora of artefacts and artworks from the city and surrounding region.
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Loggia del Lionello
This structure is one of the most important buildings in Udine and is considered to be a symbol of the city.Created in a Venetian Gothic style, this building is a fine example of this type of architecture and is one of the best preserved examples in this region of Italy.
The front façade of this structure is composed of two levels – the first of which has a portico lined with a series of Venetian arches. Above this is the second level that is finely decorated with alternating levels of white and pink marble.
Within the portico, the floor is covered with a fantastic tile pattern featuring red, pink and white colours.This truly is an amazing structure and the architecture will leave you breathless.
Piazza Matteotti
The Piazza Matteotti is one of the main open public spaces in Udine and has some fantastic architecture and a bright atmosphere.Located in the centre of the historic old town, this square was originally built during the 13th century when the town was given market rights.
At the western side of the square there is an ornate column that depicts the Virgin Mary with child.Furthermore, the Chiesa di San Giacomo has a stunning white façade and is a central structure in the square.
There is also an opulent fountain and the other structures are painted in a variety of colours.If you are looking for a place to relax, do a little sight-seeing and have a coffee, Piazza Matteotti is the perfect place.
Museo Diocesano e Gallerie del Tiepolo
Located in a decadent structure next to the charming church of San Antonio Abate, the Diocesano Museum is an important cultural and historical building.The aim of this museum is to preserve the cultural heritage of the religious orders of Udine and does so by maintaining a huge amount of artefacts and relics.
Displays within this museum date back as far as the Roman period, including a fine stone statue of Pluto.Furthermore, there is a collection of wooden sculptures and polychrome carvings.
Additionally there is an impressive library collection which contains over 10,000 volumes and manuscripts. You can also find altar pieces, Renaissance decoration and a series of richly decorated rooms. This museum is a great place to visit to learn about the religious past of Udine.