Lombard Temple, Cividale del Friuli, Italy

The small church of Oratorio di Santa Maria in Valle (also known as Lombard Temple), next to the Natisone river, is a notable example of High Middle Ages art sometimes attributed to the 8th century, but probably later. Included in the old Lombard quarter, it was probably used as Palatine Chapel by the Lombard dukes and king's functionaries. The fine decorations, statues and stuccoes (11th or 12th century) housed in the interior, show a strong Byzantine influence.

Cividale del Friuli, the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy has been present in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 2011.Cividale del Friuli, thanks to the Lombard Temple, one of the most representative symbols of the Lombard power in Italy, has received this important award being included, together with other Italian cities that preserve prestigious Lombard evidence.

User Reviews

Giulia Maffucci (6 months ago)
With 4€ you can visit the tempietto longobardo inside the monastery. Take your time to visit this small jewel, mostly if you love ancient art. There are descriptions in Italian and English about the life of the nuns and about the temple and its frescoes.

Rudolf Schamberger (7 months ago)
At the moment there isn’t a lot to see as they are renovating. Besides the text on the boards are mainly Italian only. A bit disappointing.

Clint D'Souza (4 years ago)
Very ancient chapel in Cividale. Well worth a visit.

Supriyo Kundu (4 years ago)
Heritage UNESCO temple in Chividale.

Shane (4 years ago)
Beautiful ?

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