Udine: Art, History and Friulian Culture

Udine can be experienced through historic buildings and art collections, squares showcasing everyday Friulian culture, the Parco del Cormor and internationally oriented events.

Historic Buildings and Art in the Cityscape

The Castello di Udine stands on a hill above the old town, making it a striking historic setting. The Galleria d’Arte Antica in the Castello displays significant works of art from the 14th to the 19th century, including paintings by Carpaccio, Caravaggio and Tiepolo. The Museo della Fotografia is also located there. Its exhibition includes 19th- and 20th-century photographs by photographers who worked in Friuli, including Pignat, Bujatti and Brisighelli.

Casa Cavazzini is a historic 16th-century palace and houses the Museo d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. A 16th-century Venetian cistern can also be seen there through a glass floor.

Construction of the present-day Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata began in 1236. The Chiesa di Sant'Antonio abate was originally a Gothic building from the 14th century and was consecrated in 1354. The church contains the tombs of four of the last Patriarchs of Aquileia. The Palazzo Savorgnan della Bandiera, with secular frescoes from the second half of the 14th century, offers further historical insights.

The museums also broaden the picture of the city beyond individual works of art. The Museo Etnografico del Friuli presents collections on the traditions, folk culture and history of Friuli. The Museo Friulano di Storia Naturale is a permanent institution that researches, collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits its own heritage. The «Percorso Tiepolo» enables visitors to see Tiepolo’s works preserved in Udine in the Castello, the Museo Diocesano, the Chiesa dell’Oratorio della Purità and the Cattedrale; admission to the Oratorio della Purità is free.

Squares, Regional Cuisine and Local Terms

Piazza Matteotti is also known as Piazza San Giacomo. Surrounded by colourful buildings and elegant arcades, it is an open-air salon with tables belonging to historic cafés. A tajut is a small glass of Friulian white wine served in Udine’s historic centre with ham and typical Friulian cheeses.

Park, Walks and Cycle Route

The Parco del Cormor is Udine’s largest park and covers approximately 30 hectares. Its grounds include densely planted woodland and open meadows. There is also a viewing point, paths and small roads, as well as a children’s playground.

People with reduced mobility can reach the Castello di Udine via lifts accessed from Vicolo Sottomonte. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata is accessible to people with reduced mobility via a ramp on the north side. The Parco del Cormor is also accessible to people with disabilities. These details refer to each individual location and should not be applied generally to other sights.

The FVG1 Ciclovia Alpe Adria passes through Udine as part of a route connecting Austria and northern Slovenia with the Friulian Adriatic coast.

Film, Festivals and Cultural Events

The Far East Film Festival takes place every year over nine days of screenings at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine. The programme includes retrospectives, talks with leading figures in Asian cinema and a themed meeting about Asian cinema every afternoon.

Friuli DOC includes concerts, performances, product discoveries, tastings, workshops, sports activities, children’s activities, as well as stalls and meetings.

Further Places for Trip Planning

Pradamano, San Daniele Del Friuli, Codroipo, Sutrio, Ragogna, Résiatal, Castions Di Strada, Prato Carnico, Forni Avoltri, Buja, Magnano In Riviera, Villa Santina, Gemona Del Friuli, Sedegliano, Mortegliano, Castelmonte, Malborghetto Valbruna, Tarcento, Venzone, Pulfero, Gonars, Chiopris-Viscone, Socchieve, San Giorgio Di Nogaro, Chiusaforte, Marano Lagunare, Osoppo, Moggio Udinese, Arta Terme, Ovaro, Sella Nevea, Sauris, Teor, Pontebba, Porpetto, Buttrio, Ravascletto, San Valentino, Tissano, Bertiolo, Rivignano, Tricesimo, Ruda, Pavia di Udine, Pasian di Prato, Moimacco, Valpicetto, San Leonardo, Terzo D'aquileia, Attimis, Camino Al Tagliamento, Cassacco, Coseano, Faedis, Fagagna, Manzano, Martignacco, Torsa, Precenicco, Premariacco, Prepotto, Remanzacco, San Giovanni Al Natisone, Flaibano, Trivignano Udinese, Palmanova, Cepletischis, Lateis, Collina, Campoformido, Bagnaria Arsa, Pocenia, Forni Di Sopra, Tolmezzo, Nimis, Caporiacco, Lauco, Comeglians, Tavagnacco, Ampezzo, Latisana, Ronchis, Moruzzo, Torviscosa, Lestizza, Lusevera, Torreano, Bicinicco, Cavazzo Carnico, Paluzza, Villa Vicentina, Treppo Grande, Polizza, Gorgo, Talmassons, Romans, Forni di Sotto, Artegna, Aiello del Friuli, Pozzuolo del Friuli, Cornino, Ligosullo, Raveo, Nogaredo di Corno, Colloredo di Monte Albano, Sant'Eliseo, Percoto, Taipana, Enemonzo, Passariano, Lavariano, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Santa Maria la Longa, Cividale Del Friuli, Corno Di Rosazzo, Grimacco, Rive D'arcano, San Pietro Al Natisone, Povoletto, Aquileia, Tarvisio, Savogna di Cividale, Cervignano Del Friuli, Stregna, Udine, Palazzolo Dello Stella, San Vito Al Torre, Majano, Azzano, Raibl, Sottoselva, Valbruna.

To the higher-level travel overview: Friuli-Venezia Giulia.