Cividale del Friuli, Italy

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Visit Cividale del Friuli

Cividale del Friuli is east of Udine, in the east of the Friuli region on the River Natisone and close to the frontier with Slovenia. The town has a long and interesting history, dating from its foundation by Julius Caesar, and was also an important regional town from the 6th to the 11th centuries.

A quiet town, Cividale is a lovely place to visit and listed as an Orange flag town. The historical part of Cividale del Friuli around the bridge - Ponte del Diavolo (Devils Bridge) - and Piazza del Duomo is the most interesting for visitors.

A visit can start at Cividale Cathedral; the current building is the result of a combination of the Venetian Gothic and Renaissance styles. Inside, stands the silver painting of Patriarch Pellegrino II (died 1204), a masterpiece of medieval goldsmith work; a painting by Palma il Giovane (1544-1628); and a wooden crucifix of the 13th century. Built in the sixteenth century on the ruins of an old religious building, it has an external portal by Jacopo Veneziano (15th century), and inside an "Annunciation" by Giovanni da Udine (1487-1564).

From here you can enter the Christian Museum, which holds the Altar of Ratchis (VIII century), decorated with karst stone carvings of religious figures with a particularly evocative power; it is a single block of Istrian stone, carved entirely in the Lombard period.

Altar of Ratchis: The stone Altar of Ratchis is the most important part of this sculpture. In the front plate Christ enthroned is depicted, flanked by two Cherubim, within an almond supported by four Angels; the two side plates show the visitation with the Virgin and St. Elizabeth, and the adoration of the Magi. In the rear plate, decorated with geometric ornaments, opens up a window corresponding to the opening of the reliquary. On top of the front wall and the other three slabs that form the altar runs a dedicatory inscription which assures us that the dating of the Opera is definitely the years 737- 744.

The other great monument preserved in the Christian Museum is the baptistery of Callixtus, with an octagonal form with seven original arches sustained by eight columns. Note especially the decoration of the small arches with carved vine shoots, tangles of wicker and symbolic animals. The capitals are decorated with acanthus leaves, probably dating from the 5th and 6th centuries. Above the arches there's a dedicatory inscription that testifies to the time of construction of the small arches (737-756). On one side of the octagonal Baptistery parapet is the so-called “pluteus of Sigualdo”, dedicated to the Patriarch Sigualdo, successor of Callixtus (756-786). Also depicted in the corners are some symbols of the four Evangelists, and two panes central a Latin cross with rosettes, palms and candelabra.

The so-called “Tempietto Longobardo” ["Small Lombard Temple"], is one of the most complex buildings and original architectural works of the Lombard age. The rich decorations (mosaics on the ceiling, stucco and ornamental figurative, fine frescoes) make it a work of great historical and artistic value, created for the royal couple Astolfo (749-756) and Giseltrude. In the entrance wall we can, although only partially, admire the original decoration of the Temple. The six female statues depicted with remarkable realism were considered by critics to be figures of Saints and, according to some suggestions these would be the martyrs Chiona Agape, Irene, and Sofia. Their identification, however, is anything but certain. Experts believe these date from the mid 8th century.

Also not be missed in Cividale del Friuli is the Praetorian Palace, home to the National Archaeological Museum. The design of the building is attributed to Andrea Palladio and it was built in the late 16th century.

National Archaeological Museum: Currently the Museum exhibition is over two floors. The ground floor retains the lapidary material, divided into several sections (Roman, Byzantine, and early medieval). The south wing of the ground floor is divided into three rooms, with fragments of tabernacles, columns, parapets, capitals, pilasters, cornices from the sixth to the ninth century. The last room contains the findings of the Romanesque period (12th-13th century), with themes that refer to the moral symbolism of the famous Medieval "Bestiaries", where the characters were just animals, but had human characteristics, with the same advantages and defects of men. In the courtyard of the palace are exhibited Jewish gravestones and coats of various periods. The floor of the Palace holds the Lombard exhibition. The material is arranged chronologically, showing the artefacts of the first Lombard settlement in "Forum Julii", found in the ancient necropolis of St. John and “Cella” (VI-VII century). Of particular historical value is the room that holds a Roman sarcophagus and the Duke Gisulf outfit.

Near the cathedral is the impressive Devil's Bridge, originally built in the fifteenth century although destroyed and rebuilt after the First World War, and the Celtic Hypogeum, an underground environment dug into the rock, probably a Celtic burial chamber, that provides an insight into life here thousands of years ago.

You can then continue your tour of Cividale del Friuli by ambling along the peaceful streets, admiring grand palaces and small courtyards, before returning to Piazza del Duomo and perhaps learning more of the Roman history of the town in the archaeological museum.

Places to visit near Cividale

Along the “Natisone” and its tributaries meander valleys with pristine nature (mostly deciduous woods, meadows and small farms) and a characteristic habitats made of mountain refuges and parks and small towns rich in traditions of history and folklore. A few kilometres from Cividale del Friuli the Castelmonte Sanctuary is a highly recommended excursion.

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