UDINE – PALMANOVA – AQUILEIA – GRADO

UDINE, chief town of Friuli, is a sophisticated and dynamic reality. Featuring Romanesque, Gothic and Venetian monuments, unique squares and picturesque streets, Udine seems to be suspended in time, caught between the present and a spectacular past.
The tour begins in Piazza Libertà, true landmark of this city. It is an inspiring square which groups some of the most significant sights: the Loggia del Lionello, the Portico, St. John's Church and the Clock Tower, similar to the one in Venice.
A steep uphill walk connects the square to the 16th century Castle, an impressive building overlooking the city, which unfolds beneath it. Here are stored and displayed rich collections belonging to the Civic Museum and to the Art Gallery. A few steps aside stands S. Maria del Castello, an exquisite little church, probably dating back to the 7th century. Its façade and bell tower were built in the 16th century, whereas the austere Romanesque interior is wrapped in 13th century frescoes. Next stop is the Duomo, initiated in the early Thirteen hundreds. It houses precious masterpieces by Tiepolo, Vitale da Bologna and other famous artists. The bell tower is especially interesting, as it has been built on the ruins of a 14th century octagonal Baptistery. Not far from here stands the Oratorio della Purità with valuable frescoes by Tiepolo, the same artist who decorated the Archbishop's Palace and the Diocesan Museum. Piazza S. Giacomo is the closing sight for this city tour. Surrounded by 15th century buildings and a charming church, this square stands out, above all, for its gracefulness. The next destination is a small country town just outside of Udine: PASSARIANO di Codroipo. Here rises Villa Manin, fascinating and evocative residence of the last Venetian Doge. The palace was also honored by the presence of Napoleon himself; but besides its historical value, Villa Manin has much more to offfer: a park, an armory, a carriage collection and the permanent Local Handcraft Exhibition. The tour continues in the town of PALMANOVA, a star-shaped fortress built by the Republic of Venice in 1593 to protect the empire's eastern borders. It is undoubtedly one of the most interesting and best kept examples of military architecture. Cervignano is the last most important town before AQUILEIA, once capital of the X Region "Venetia et Histria" under the rule of Emperor Augustus. Numerous are the monuments in this area and even greater is their artistic value. At one point, Aquileia became seat of the Patriarchy. Around AD 1000, the city reached the top of its fortune, under Patriarch Popone, who has been credited, among other things, for the construction of the marvelous Romanesque Basilica, rising on the ruins of pre-existent religious buildings. The basilica's floor is covered with wonderful mosaics, not to mention that the whole interior is packed with amazing works of art. The bell tower offers an extraordinary view of the vast Friulan plain. A walk along the evocative Via Sacra, a cypress-lined avenue skirting the ruins of the old Roman river-port, is definitely worthwhile. The Archaeological Museum is also quite fascinating, with its beautiful collections of amber and glass objects and its archeological site. GRADO, renowned seaside resort, is only ten kilometers away. The old town center is perfect for romantic walks through narrow streets, tiny squares and evocative corners. One wouldn't want to miss the Basilica of S. Eufemia (6th century) featuring rows of Roman columns, wonderful mosaic floors and a statue of St. Michael (1462), located on the fine bell tower cusp. Last but not least is the Baptistery (5th century) and the adjacent church of S. Maria delle Grazie.