Castles of Friuli Venezia Giulia
Aerial view of Miramare. Photo by: Anja Cop
Castles of Friuli Venezia Giulia
Japanese version
Friuli Venezia Giulia フリウリ・ヴェネツィア・ジュリア州の城 日本語PDFダウンロードはこちらから
Friuli Venezia Giulia is a region on the border of Italy full of hidden treasures that will amaze visitors due to its many different landscapes, intertwining cultures, and ancient traditions.
The castles of Friuli Venezia Giulia let you discover the originality of this enchanting region through its unique scenery and places where you can enjoy relaxing, pleasant moments; splendid manors harmoniously blend with the most fascinating tourist areas.
Staying in a castle is like traveling back in time: it is a unique and fascinating experience where you can enjoy unforgettable moments in a setting of centuries past.
Top experiences
- Castles in Italy's Most Beautiful Villages
Not far from the main cities, Friuli Venezia Giulia offers a landscape dotted with castles that are often included among Italy's most beautiful villages. Their geographic location conditions their appearance: thus, if the castles in the hills are imposing because their function was to control the territory, in the lower plains one encounters instead scenic water castles.
Adjacent to the village of Fagagna, also known for an important natural oasis for the protection of storks, stands the castle of Villalta. It is one of the most important and spectacular mediaeval castles in the region and its history is lost in the mists of time, as attested by its Roman foundations. Situated in a dominant position on the plain, it is an obligatory stop for those who want to make an excursion in the most beautiful and romantic part of the hilly area, stopping also to taste the ham: this is in fact the production area of the famous San Daniele.
On the plain, one of the most interesting castles, in terms of history and appearance, is that of the Strassoldo family who built it more than a thousand years ago. It is surrounded by buildings for agricultural use and the houses where peasants and artisans in the service of the castle nobles once lived: together, these structures gave rise to a small village that took the same name as the family. The interiors of the castle are still rich in antique furniture and portraits of ancestors, and the atmosphere is that of a place where history has never stopped.
Both residences offer accommodation for short holidays, but are also accessible for day visits with accompaniment by the owners.
- Historical re-enactments in medieval castles
Who would not like to experience the thrill of finding themselves for a while in a legendary past, made up of castles and knights, battles and court festivals? If this is your wish, take part in one of the many historical re-enactments in Friuli Venezia Giulia: you will feel like a protagonist in the historical events that forged this surprising territory, you will be surprised by ancient customs and traditions, you will get to know hidden corners and enter the most symbolic places of our millenary history.
'Middle Ages in Valvasone' is a famous re-enactment that takes place around an ancient castle and its village. Medieval times are faithfully reconstructed and relived through performances, animations, glimpses and set tables. There is a return to the Middle Ages also at Torre di Pordenone, where the "Giostra dei castelli" (Castle Joust) stages falconers, archers, jesters, dancers and musicians for a journey back through the centuries that rediscovers and relives the magic of courtly performances and castle festivities.
- Historic wine cellars in castles
It is an ancient bond that Friuli Venezia Giulia has with wines and viticulture: the many geographical and climatic peculiarities of this splendid region have sedimented over the centuries the unique traits that characterise its food and wine culture and the richness of its grape varieties. Some of the world's best white wines and full-bodied reds are produced here every year.
Some historic wine cellars, located within ancient castles, are still used for the production and storage of wines. Although production today makes use of modern technology, the quality of the wine is always guaranteed by respect for local tradition.
The wines of Spessa Castle are aged in the medieval cellars and in a bunker excavated during World War II, but only discovered in 1987 during the renovation of the castle. Situated at a depth of about 18 metres, at a constant temperature of 14 degrees, the bunker is the ideal place for ageing the estate's fine wines.
Wines of excellent quality have also always been produced at Buttrio Castle. The castle's position, on top of a hill overlooking the rows of vines, is a sign of the indissoluble bond between the area and its wine-growing tradition.
The castles offer hospitality, visits to the cellars accompanied by the owners, and of course tastings through a visual, olfactory and gustatory itinerary.
- Castles become museums
Castles often tell the personal stories, sometimes romantic and sometimes tragic, of those who have inhabited them over the centuries, but sometimes they also turn into museums to collect and tell the historical stories of the territory in which they are located.
This is the case of Gorizia Castle, which represents the ancient heart of the city. It dates back to the 11th century, but was modified several times, with the addition of bastions and towers, and used for different functions, from administrative centre to barracks to prison. Today it houses the Museum of the Middle Ages in Gorizia, where there are interesting handcrafted reproductions of weapons used in the medieval period. The Music Room houses perfect reproductions of ancient instruments whose melodies can be heard thanks to modern technology.
Udine Castle has also been converted to house several museums. The Archaeological Museum and the Museum of the Risorgimento offer an innovative layout accompanied by films and multimedia aids. The Gallery of Ancient Art exhibits a homogenous collection of works, mostly by local artists, produced from the second half of the 14th century to the first half of the 19th century. The Museum of Photography preserves images of photographers working locally in the 19th and 20th centuries.
- Historic gardens
Not only castles and aristocratic palaces, but also their parks and gardens tell of the court life of the past and let you imagine knights and ladies engaged in conversations, walks, games and dances.
Although no ancient garden has survived the test of time in its original form, some recoveries and reworkings are nevertheless impressive. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, one of the most spectacular gardens is that of Villa Freschi Piccolomini, located within the fortified village of Cordovado, the site of an ancient castle. In this garden, visitors can walk along a labyrinth formed by two thousand intertwined Damask roses. At flowering time, the rose garden is open for guided tours, exhibitions and conferences.
The park of Miramare Castle also started out as a private place, only later to become a solemn ceremonial garden. It was planned in the mid-19th century and the work was supervised directly by its owner Maximilian of Habsburg, brother of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph. Maximilian decided to alternate lawn areas with water courses, trees planted according to natural patterns with ponds. Even today, strolling along the winding paths, one relives the amazement of that time when admiring an unexpected view of the sea, an unusual panoramic space, a sudden sheet of water.