UDINE:
Udine is a lively and dynamic city of art, which is to be found right in the heart of Friuli, halfway between the seaside and the mountains; this friendly town pays particular attention to culture, history, wine and food and modernity only enriches the territory’s well-rooted tradition.

The starting point for a visit of the town is the Piazza della Libertà (Liberty Square), repeatedly indicated as “the most beautiful Venetian square on dry land”, whose most important and elegant element is the Loggia del Lionello, which is a splendid example of Gothic-Venetian style; in front of it the renaissance Loggia di San Giovanni can be found, a portico incorporating the Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower), under which, in the past, the main gate to the castle opened. The Castello (Castle), on the hill, is an important building and home to the Civic Museum, remarkable for its Parliament Hall with frescoes by Tiepolo, Grassi and Pomponio Amalteo; the main floor is occupied by the Galleria d’Arte Antica (Gallery of Ancient Art).

By way of the Via Mercatovecchio, full both of suggestive historical buildings and elegant and modern shops, one reaches the throbbing heart of the town: Piazza Matteotti, which was the first real square in Udine, and in the centre of which the fountain designed in 1543 by Giovanni da Udine, a pupil of Raffaello can be found.

Passing in front of the Palazzo del Comune (Municipal building) one arrives at the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) where the majestic and sacred building, with its Latin cross formation, whose oldest parts date back to 1335, can be admired; next to the Cathedral, the Oratorio della Purità (Oratory of Purity) can be found where the fresco of the“Assunta", one of the Tiepolo’s masterpieces, is on show, however, bearing witness to the artist’s greatness is the Palazzo Arcivescovile (Archbishop’s Palace) which hosts the Museo Diocesano (Diocesan Museum).

A visit to the Galleria d’Arte Moderna (Modern Art Gallery) is recommended, where very interesting collections of 19th and 20th Century art are on show; the Gallery is also an important venue for exhibitions as is the central Chiesa di S. Francesco (Saint Frances’ Church)

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