Santa Maria la Longa: Villas, Churches and Watercourses
Accommodation in Santa Maria la Longa
Roman Traces and the Centre
When considering Santa Maria la Longa as a destination in Friuli, you encounter a place whose character is shaped by Roman traces, central commemorative landmarks and a variety of historic buildings. In the area around Santa Maria la Longa, settlements from Roman times are documented by numerous archaeological finds; the finds are evenly distributed throughout the area. A monument to Giuseppe Ungaretti was inaugurated in the central Piazza Divisione Julia. Next to it are three Karst stones engraved with poems by the poet. In the centre, the historic pillory column is considered the last surviving pillory column in the Friulian lowlands.
Villas and Historic Buildings
The historic character includes several buildings from clearly distinguishable periods. Villa Bearzi is a 17th-century building near the parish church of Santa Maria la Longa. Casa Plateo preserves a plaque from 1739 dedicated to Count Zuanne Rados, a commander of the Serenissima. The Canonica is a 16th-century building with a religious fresco depicting the Nativity. Villa Vintani, now Villa Zamaro, also dates from the 16th century; in the 16th century, it was the summer residence of the Patriarchs of Aquileia. The 17th-century Villa Colloredo Mels has a distinctive Venetian window on its façade.
Churches in the Districts
The churches of Santa Maria la Longa and its districts also reflect various historical layers. The Neo-Gothic parish church of Santo Stefano Udinese was built between 1873 and 1878 to a design by Girolamo d'Aronco. The church of San Pietro in Mereto di Capitolo has a façade with a bell gable and a small porch at the side door featuring frescoes from the early 16th century. In Santo Stefano Udinese, San Giuseppe preserves 17th-century frescoes depicting the Pietà and Saint Valentine. The church, dating from the 16th century, stands just outside the village in an isolated location among grain fields. The church of Santo Stefano Udinese also contains a 1937 painting of the Martyrdom of Saint Stephen by Giuseppe Barazzutti.
Agriculture and Watercourses
The largely agricultural area of Santa Maria la Longa is crossed by the 17th-century Roggia di Palma. The watercourses in Santa Maria la Longa diverted from a Ledra canal date from the second half of the 19th century. These water structures complement the picture of a place where historic traces are recognisable not only in buildings but also in the landscape.
Circular Route and Cycling Connections
For your route planning, the Anello delle ville friulane circular route (R038) starts at the municipal office of Santa Maria la Longa. The Ciclovia Alpe Adria first crosses the municipality in the district of Santo Stefano Udinese when you come from the direction of Merlana. The circular route is connected to the Udine–Grado bus service; bicycles are not transported on this bus. When planning a trip to Santa Maria la Longa, this allows literary and historical references, rural structures, a designated circular route and the Ciclovia Alpe Adria passing through the area to be considered together.
More Destinations
More destinations: San Valentino, Prato Carnico, Villa Santina, Collina, Lestizza, Aquileia, Povoletto, Moimacco
To the higher-level travel overview: Udine.
