Art and architecture in Udine
Everywhere you go you are surrounded by art and architecture in Udine. One of the refined North Italian cities that makes you feel highly cultured for just being there.
Given the fact that Udine lies close to the Austrian and Slovenian borders and has been part of the Austrian Empire between 1797 and 1866, I had expected to find strong traces of Slavic and German influence. But apart from the bilingual street signs in Italian and Friulian dialect, the town remains unmistakably Italian and marked by 400 years of Venetian rule. A heritage that can be seen in art and architecture throughout the historic centre of Udine. Here’s a quick itinerary
Moorish arches and Tiepolo paintings
We started out on the open Piazza XX Settembre, where children were playing ball in the last rays of the early evening sun. The architecture of the square spans several centuries from the subdued neoclassic elegance of Palazzo Antivari-Kechler to the restructured Casetta Veneziana, which is basically unadorned apart from the inflected Moorish arches above the windows. A few hundred metres further down the street the arches become round as a sign that we have reached the 13th century in the shape of the Romanesque-Gothic Cathedral.
The stunningsly beautiful Piazza Liberta in the centre of Udine
Inside the cathedral you’ll find the Chapel of the Sacrament decorated by the great Venetian painter Giambattista Tiepolo. An artist whose work can also be admired in a cycle made for the Palazzo Patriarcale and in frescoes in the Castle, paintings in Palazzo Caiselli, and in the decoration of Udine’s Oratorio della Purità.
Stunning piazzas and a manmade hill
Having studied the artworks and the octagonal bell tower we crossed through a tiny garden and under an arcade bridge connecting two buildings in the gallery for design and architecture Palazzo Valvason Morpurgo. And within minutes we found ourselves in the stunning Piazza Libertà. I’ve seen too many beautiful piazzas in Italy to rate, but this one is truly outstanding with a clock tower similar to the one on San Marco Square in Venice, the Loggia del Lionello in Venetian-Gothic style and the Arco Bollani designed by the celebrated architect Andrea Palladio.
We went through Palladio’s gate and climbed up the castle hill said to have been formed, when Attila the Hun instructed his soldiers to bring soil in their helmets and pile it up in an otherwise flat landscape. At the top of the hill there’s an old castle and a splendid view of the city and the surrounding mountains.
Back down again we headed straight for Piazza Matteotti and an Aperol Spritz. The historic centre of Udine is compact and walkable and there’s a high ratio of tempting cafés. Especially, on the charming Piazza Matteotti where parents take a seat under the sprawling arcades, while children and toddlers roam the square. They seemed to enjoy themselves fully as much as we did in the historic surroundings.
I once met a guy from Villach across the border in Austria. He said they would go to Udine for shopping (I suppose sort of like Norwegians go to Sweden, Swedes go to Denmark and Danes go to Germany). Interesting to hear it’s much more to this Italian city.
How funny, I don’t think we heard anyone speak German while we were there.
I could probably hang out at those piazzas for hours. Udine looks like such a beautiful town and a wonderful place to stroll around or spend the day. That cathedral is stunning!
Sure, there’s nothing quite like people watching over a nice glass of spritz.
Another beautiful Italian town that I had not heard of! I would love to take an entire summer and just travel around Italy to visit all of these beautiful places!
I’d certainly recommend that. Though I’m not sure an entire summer would give you all the time you’ll need.
I love to sit, relax and people watch so the piazzas would be perfect for me. Now, climbing the same hill as Attila the Hun would be incredible! Good post, Mette :)
I have to warn you against following Attila the Hun too closely, though. After all he was forced to retire from Italy without ever setting foot south of the Po, and that would be a shame.
Mette, I can easily see why the Udine caught your eye. Love the charm of the piazza and the art – wow! I could happily sip coffee all afternoon and just move from one work to the next.
Me too – such a wonderful way to waste time.
Looks beautiful in Udine! Being surrounded by art and architecture sounds like a great reason to just go! Thanks for sharing!
There is art and architecture galore in all Italian cities, but in my opinion Udine is particularly pretty.
My god, how I love Italy! And especially its small towns.
Me too. There’s always something new to explore and discover.
Grazie per l’articolo e le bellissime foto con il quale si presentano al mondo miei luoghi del cuore.
I’m glad you like it – And took the time to post a response:)
If the heat gets to you, just drive south for 40 minutes to Grado and take a quick dip in the Adriatic; magic.
That’s always an option in most of Italy, and it works brilliantly every time:)