Udine: Art, History and Routes through Friuli

Udine combines important art and historical sites with green open spaces and a route through the region. If you are looking for accommodation in Udine, you can plan your stay around different focal points: the museums and historic buildings, walking paths in Parco del Cormor or the FVG1 Ciclovia Alpe Adria.

Art and history around the Castello

The Castello di Udine stands on a hill above the old town. In the Castello, the Galleria d’Arte Antica displays important works of art from the 14th to the 19th century, including paintings by Carpaccio, Caravaggio and Tiepolo. The Museo della Fotografia complements this focus with 19th- and 20th-century photographs by photographers active in Friuli, including Pignat, Bujatti and Brisighelli.

Casa Cavazzini also brings together different historical layers: the 16th-century historic palace houses the Museo d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. A 16th-century Venetian cistern is also visible there through a glass floor. 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» links the works by Tiep(o)lo preserved in Udine at the Castello, the Museo Diocesano, the Chiesa dell’Oratorio della Purità and the Cattedrale. Admission to the Oratorio della Purità is free. The Chiesa di Sant'Antonio abate contains the tombs of four of the last patriarchs of Aquileia. The church was originally a Gothic building from the 14th century and was consecrated in 1354. Construction of today’s Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata began in 1236.

Visitor information

For people with reduced mobility, the Castello di Udine can be reached by lifts with access from Vicolo Sottomonte. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata has a ramp on its north side. Parco del Cormor is also accessible to people with disabilities.

Parco del Cormor is Udine’s largest park and covers approximately 30 hectares. Its facilities include densely planted woodland, open meadows, a viewpoint, paths and small roads, as well as a children’s playground. Alongside the historic collections, this provides a clearly defined landscape area with different sections that you can take into account when choosing your location.

Squares, regional culture and events

Piazza Matteotti, also known as Piazza San Giacomo, is an open-air salon surrounded by colourful buildings and elegant arcades, with tables belonging to historic cafés. In the historic centre, a Tajut is served as a small glass of Friulian white wine with ham and typical Friulian cheeses.

For a stay focused on events, the Far East Film Festival offers a programme with retrospectives, discussions with leading figures in Asian cinema and a themed meeting on Asian cinema every afternoon. The festival takes place each year over nine screening days at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine. Friuli DOC includes concerts, performances, product discoveries, tastings, workshops, sporting activities, children’s activities, as well as stalls and meetings.

The FVG1 Ciclovia Alpe Adria passes through Udine as part of a route connecting Austria and northern Slovenia with the Friulian Adriatic coast. For further choices within the surrounding area, you can find Ampezzo, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Santa Maria la Longa, Cividale Del Friuli, Corno Di Rosazzo, Grimacco, Rive D'arcano, San Pietro Al Natisone, Povoletto, Venzone, Aquileia, Talmassons, Sottoselva, Azzano, Ovaro, Tarvisio, Savogna di Cividale, Cervignano Del Friuli, Stregna, Udine, Palazzolo Dello Stella, Pradamano, San Daniele Del Friuli, Pontebba, Porpetto, Buttrio, San Leonardo, Terzo D'aquileia, Raibl, San Valentino, Valpicetto, Attimis, Camino Al Tagliamento, Cassacco, Coseano, Faedis, Fagagna, Manzano, Martignacco, Torsa, Precenicco, Premariacco, Prepotto, Remanzacco, San Giovanni Al Natisone, Palmanova, Forni Avoltri, Flaibano, Trivignano Udinese, Ravascletto, Codroipo, Sutrio, Ragogna, Résiatal, Castions Di Strada, Prato Carnico, Buja, Magnano In Riviera, Villa Santina, Gemona Del Friuli, Sedegliano, Mortegliano, Ruda, Malborghetto Valbruna, Tarcento, Tissano, Bertiolo, Rivignano, Tricesimo, Marano Lagunare, Osoppo, Moggio Udinese, Arta Terme, Sella Nevea, Sauris, Teor, Pulfero, Gonars, Forni Di Sopra, Tolmezzo, Nimis, Lauco, Comeglians, Chiopris-Viscone, Socchieve, Moimacco, Tavagnacco, Latisana, San Giorgio Di Nogaro, Chiusaforte, San Vito Al Torre, Ronchis, Moruzzo, Torviscosa, Lestizza, Lusevera, Torreano, Bicinicco, Majano, Cavazzo Carnico, Paluzza, Villa Vicentina, Treppo Grande, Artegna, Forni di Sotto, Aiello del Friuli, Pozzuolo del Friuli, Pavia di Udine, Pasian di Prato, Bagnaria Arsa, Cepletischis, Castelmonte, Cornino, Ligosullo, Raveo, Nogaredo di Corno, Colloredo di Monte Albano, Sant'Eliseo, Percoto, Taipana, Enemonzo, Passariano, Lavariano, Valbruna, Pocenia, Lateis, Collina, Campoformido, Caporiacco, Polizza, Gorgo and Romans.

The secular frescoes from the second half of the 14th century in Palazzo Savorgnan della Bandiera provide further historical highlights. In this way, Udine can be explored through individual buildings, collections, squares, regional specialities, events and the route of the Ciclovia Alpe Adria.