Udine

UDINE

Udine, the historical capital of Friuli region, is a fine city, a good one to live in, on a humane scale. It has developed a lot thanks to the enlargement of University offer, which attracted many students and consequently brought a big profit. The city lies just at the heart of Friuli eastern plain, natural and strategic intersection of the guidelines of this border area and therefore inhabitated centre of ancient time ( it is thought just from iron age). At the heart of Udine you find the centrall Freedom Square, between the Loggia of Lionello and St. John's Portico. Of great interest are also the Clock Tower and the Renaissance Fountain, both of them designed by Giovanni da Udine.

The town, with its many fine houses and churches rich in works of art, is overlooked by a famous castle, located on a hill. From there the view on the mountains and hills that stand out against the horizon is wonderful. The earthquake in 1976 caused serious damages to the main city monuments, above all the castle. This most remarkable event of Udine's more recent history caused the death of about 1,000 people and damaged a lot of small towns around in the province of Udine, few of which were razed to the ground. Thanks to Friuli people's spirit of sacrifice, willpower and self-denial the rebuilding was astonishing and yet today sets the example all over the world.

Very typical are downtown bars and small restaurants, where you can taste good wine from Collio and some appetizers with cured pork meats. Most of the restaurants have got a typical local cuisine, which changes according to the season. The shopping zone is located north of Udine, along Viale Tricesimo, where big stores and outlets follow one another for 10 km.

 

PALMANOVA

Palmanova has got a precise date of birth: 7th October 1593. This day was chosen by the superintendents of the Republic of Venice as it called to mind St. Justine's celebration ( who would become the saint patron of the town) and the anniversary of the Victory of Lepanto against the Turks ( 7th October 1571). Palma was a Venetian dominion for over 200 years ( 1593-1797), when general Bonaparte conquered it. After the treatise of Campoformido the fortress entered into the Austrian Empire's area ( 1798-1805), and then it was conquered by the Kingdom of Italy ( 1806-1814).

After's Napoleon's defeat Palmanova became part of the Hapsburg Empire until 1866 – with the single interruption of the insurrection of 1848. With the Plebiscite of 1866 Palmanova was definitely annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. In 1860 Palmanova became a National Monument under decree of the President of the Italian Republic. The particular form of its central square, like a five-pointed star, makes a refreshment-stop at a bar sitting at a table and drinking some good wine very evocative.

 

VILLA MANIN

The majestic building of Villa Manin, located in Passariano, Comune of Codroipo, near Udine, is one of the most significant monuments of Friuli Venezia Giulia and one of the most recognized symbols of tourism and regional culture. It was built in the seventeenth century by Antonio Manin to celebrate the richness and power of his family, who used it as a country house. The Villa consists of a main residence and and some service areas where the agricultural activities took place. In the western wing, called barchessa, were located the cellars and the barns, while in the eastern one there were the the stables, where today you can visit the Carriage Museum.
The Villa is placed in the sorrounding environment according to a concept of harmonization, thus becoming an integral part of the landscape. If you visit the Villa Manin, you can admire some permanent museum collections (Carriage Museum and Armoury). The Armoury ( a branch of the Civic Museums of Udine) displays a splendid collection of weapons and armor from around the world. Visit the site under www.villamanin-eventi.it for the programme of events. The Villa arranges lots of international expositions and in its park concerts often take place.