Guide of Udine, Italy

Udine, Italy

Udine (Udin in the Friuli dialect) is situated in Friuli-Venezia Giulia a place defined by Ippolito Nievo, writer and patriot, as a small compendium of the universe and that is characterised by a considerably contrasting landscape, where small towns that have not been distorted by mass tourism coexist with modern accommodations. There are different types of accommodations due to the diversity in landscape that goes from the sea, to the hills and then the mountains.

Close to Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic sea, Udine, the historical capital of Friuli is a found in an area rich with culture and unique attractions. There is the seaside resorts at Lignano Sabbiadoro, the ski slopes and the natural parks of Carnia and Tarvisio, the DOC areas of the Eastern Hills, the villages and the cities of art of Udine, Cividale, San Daniele, Gemona and Venzone.

“Un vèr furlan, salt, onest, lavorador”. The people from Friuli are proud, strong-willed and have a sense of belonging that helped them recover from a massive earthquake and makes Friuli the economic engine of northeastern Italy. The locals can be met in the timeless small villages, in villages of a few dozen inhabitants of the Carnia or in the villages of the hills, during a traditional or folk festival with a tajut (aperitif) in their hand speaking marilenghe (the local language of Friuli) or you can meet them in the fogolars (Diaspora of the Friuliani in the world).

The virtues of the historical centre of Udine or of its outskirts can be seen through a pleasant walk or bike ride (there is a new bikesharing service called Udinebike). There are also public green areas such as Moretti Park and the large Park of the Cormor, a place for practicing sports, relaxing and entertainment and which is located near the Friuli Stadium, the stadium where the Udinese Soccer Club plays.

The old Piazza delle Erbe (or Matteotti square) is a symbol of the socialite spirit of Udine and is especially enjoyable in summer when the bars under the arcades come alive with colourful tables and with the antiques market. There are also characteristic taverns in the old town where you can stop for an aperitif. In September, during the festive Friuli DOC, the city becomes full of food and wine stalls heaping with local typical products, shows, folklore, cultural events and competitions.

It is easy to find good food in Udine as a result of its rich culinary traditions and thanks to the renowned places of good food like the acclaimed restaurants: Vitello d'Oro, Concordia, Astoria Italia, Alla Vedova, La' di Moret and Al Grop (in Tavagnacco), or the old trattorias: Ai Frati, Al Lepre, All'Allegria and Alla Ghiacciaia. A stop should also be made in the various taverns, bars and meeting places for the ritual of the tajut, the traditional wine aperitif.

A bridge to the East: its celtic origins play an important role in this Patriarchial community. The Venetian, Napoleonic and Habsburg dominations brought many cultural and architectural influences to Udine and thus the city has many remarkable historical and artistic points of interest.

The Venetian Piazza della Libertà, the heart of the city is characterised by the elegant fifteenth century Loggia del Lionello: the old town hall, behind which lies the Art Nouveau Palazzo d'Aronco, today's city hall, it is the crossroad of the main shopping streets of Udine: A succession of fine shops, cafes like the famous Contarena and bookshops and libraries, like Vincenzo Joppi are found under the arcades of via Mercatovecchio, via Vittorio Veneto and via Cavour. The Loggia of S. Giovanni and the Clock Tower , inspired by the clock tower in Piazza San Marco and built by Giovanni da Udine in 1527, are located at the bottom of the hill of the Castle, in front of the Loggia del Lionello. From here you can walk along a paved road and a Venetian Gothic portico to the Castle, a renaissance building that currently houses Civic Museums. The Castle's yard offers a stunning view over the city, the hills and the Alpine foothills. Here you can find the library and the Casa della Contadinanza, the old main office of the farmer protectors, currently used for events as well as wine and food tastings.

Works by the genius Venetian artist, Giambattista Tiepolo, who adorned the Piazza della Libertà, are also present in the Tiepolo Gallery in the Patriarchal Palace, the former residence of the Patriarchs of Aquileia. The old town hosts several places of worship worth visiting, including: the main town church, the fourteenth century Duomo of Udine, its Cappella del Santissima houses precious frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo. The nearby desecrated church of San Francesco is used as a suggestive exhibition area and its convent houses the Court.

Some important celebrations such as the Fair of Santa Caterina in November, are held in Piazza 1 Maggio. The tourist office can also be found in this square.

Piazza XX Settembre, has recently become a pedestrian area with markets and has thus further revitalised the historic centre as a commercial area and meeting place. Other important places include the Church of S. Antonio Abate, the Palladian Palazzo Antonini-Casa Grande currently housing the branch of the Bank of Italy, the Archbishop-Patriarchial Palace, home to the splendid Tiepolo Gallery and the ancient Delfiniana Library. Porta Manin, leading east towards Cividale, and Porta Aquileia, leading to Aquileia and Grado, are part of the city's medieval defensive circle.

The Roggia flows through Udine. This canal was once used for fishing and for many crafts and commercial activities that used the water.

Udine has given great importance to films. The Visionary centre, an alternative to the multiplexes found in the malls of Udine, is managed by the CEC (Film Expression Centre ) and is more than just a film art theatre. It houses three viewing areas, a media library, exhibition and conference rooms, a bookshop and an internet bar. Other important centres like Cinemazero in Pordenone, the Film library of Friuli in Gemona and the University of Udine, help spread the culture of movies and hold important events like "Cinema under the Stars", the international Far East Film Festivaland other in-depth reviews and retrospectives.

Exciting seasons of shows are held at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni of Udine, at the Teatro Palamostre and at the Teatro San Giorgio, managed by the CSS centre, a Theatre of Friuli Venezia Giulia filled with events. Other noteworthy centres are the Udine Theatre Club and the civic Academy of Dramatic Art Nico Pepe.

GAMUD (The Gallery of Modern Art of Udine) is found in the Palamostre, adjacent to the communal pool. The driving force of economic development in Friuli, Udine is a hive of companies and innovation and is as dynamic as ever. The University is its accomplice thanks to the advanced courses in sciences and humanistic sciences and its growing attractiveness as an international campus. The Udine Fiere board organises important events such as Casa Moderna, IdeaNatale, Good (slow food) and Mittelmoda (in Gorizia) in the fair and congress quarter of Torreano di Martignacco. Promosedia, the company that represents the field of wood furniture of Friuli should also be mentioned. The so-called "Triangolo della Sedia", the industrial district of Manzano, San Giovanni al Natisone and Corno di Rosazzo, is a Friulian excellence and an induced driving force for export, just like the wine production of this area that animates a renowned wine tourism.

Cividale in the DOC wine area of the Eastern Hills of Friuli, a few kilometres from Udine, is worth a visit. Cividale is a charming village on the banks of the Natisone river. Walking in the charming historic centre of this Celtic, Roman and Renaissance town, which was the first home of the Lombard duchy of Italy, you can see valuable evidence and monuments like the Small Lombard Temple, you can experience the thrill of crossing the daring Devil's Bridge and see the houses perched on the river. Cividale also hosts the Mittelfest, important festival of Central European culture.

The seventeenth-century Villa Manin of Passariano is found in the municipality of Codroipo approximately 30 km from Udine. The villa offers an extraordinary view and hosts prestigious exhibitions and events. Colloredo di Montalbano, between Udine and San Daniele, is a charming village in the hills, absolutely worth seeing.

San Daniele del Friuli, an enchanting historical town on a hilltop a few kilometres from Udine, is famous for its prosciutto D.O.P.. The Aria di Festa, a festival held on the last weekend of June is dedicated to this delicacy. The ancient festival that is now well-known on an International level celebrates the virtue of this indulgence of Friuli with tastings, exhibitions, tours and cooking classes. Christmas or the Pignarul, a traditional celebration that takes place at the Epiphany, are particularly beautiful because San Daniele is filled with characteristic christmas markets and its old town centre is beautifuly decorated. Throughout the whole year, there are events dedicated to children, literary, theatrical and slow food events.

For further touristic information on Udine and the surrounding area, we adivse you to directly contact the official tourist office, sending an e-mail to info.udine@turismo.fvg.it or calling +39 0432 295972. The tourist office is found at Piazza 1 Maggio, No. 7 in Udine.