Udine Castle

Udine, Italy

The Udine castle hill is made of drift accumulating during centuries. However, a legend about its origin says that when Attila the Hun (also called the Scourge of God) plundered Aquileia (one of the biggest cities of the Roman Empire at that time) in the year 452, he asked his soldiers to build a hill to see the Aquileia burning. This was made by filling the helmet of each soldier with ground.

The first official statement of the existence of a building on the hill dates back to 983: the Holy Roman Emperor Otto II donated to Rodoaldo, Patriarch of Aquileia a castrum, a military building.

The present building has the form of a palace and it was built on the ruins of a fortress destroyed in the year 1511 Idrija earthquake. The construction had started in 1517 and the works had lasted for 50 years. The external decoration of the palace and the paintings in the Parliament Hall are due to Giovanni da Udine, one of the pupils of Raphael.

The council of the Patria del Friuli was one of the first parliaments in the world, and it was suppressed after the French occupation in 1797.

Today the castle hosts the History and Art Museum of the City of Udine.

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Address

Piazzale del Castello 2, Udine, Italy
See all sites in Udine

Details

Founded: 1511
Category: Castles and fortifications in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.turismofvg.it

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby


Udine Cathedral (0,2 km)


Miramare Castle (54,6 km)
Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (34,4 km)
Cividale del Friuli Cathedral (15,4 km)
National Archaeological Museum (15,5 km)
Lombard Temple (15,5 km)
Villa Manin (21,6 km)
Gorizia Castle (33,1 km)
Palmanova (18,6 km)
Duino Castle (43,2 km)

User Reviews

Jakub Niedzwiedz (18 months ago)
A Medieval castle, rebuilt in the Renaissance times. Today it's an interesting art museum. The view from the castle is really worth to climb on the hill.
Joni Heikkonen (19 months ago)
Nice easily accessible castle with small but informative museum. Good for hang over days.
Chris Haynes (19 months ago)
Great city all around. Castle is not as you may imagine but worth the few minute hike up hill to see. View of the city from the castle is where it is at.
Ozan B. Can (19 months ago)
Great view of the city. Two routes to the viewing terrace, steep stairs or the longer walk around the castle that eventually leads to the viewing terrace. Take the longer route on your way up, then stairs on your way down. Stairs really steep!
Jacopo Rumi (2 years ago)
Calm and peaceful spot on the top of the historical center of Udine. The complex includes a museum, in the main body, a 14th century church which is a real must-see and a coffee bar - restaurant in the annex. Just up the hill, under the golden angel which dominates the town, a large grass is very enjoyable in the days of good weather and from there one can enjoy the view of the Alps and of a few other landmarks. Equally nice are the pathways, the arch and the 'loggiati' leading up to the castle (mind you: this is not a medioeval castle). The lion of San Marco is a recurring presence which reminds of the longstanding influence of Venice.
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