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bankHistorical and cultural tours

The Longobards

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Description
Cividale preserves important monumental, artistic and cultural testimony of a Longobard civilization. Here the centres of power were to be found in the Gastaldaga, where the king’s estates were administered, as well as the Complesso Episcopale, the religious centre. Both of these centres, heart of the Longobard Cividale, conserve rich evidence of those times.

The Gastaldaga area is located in the valley area where the Santa Maria in Valle Monastery rises to which the [Longobard Temple is annexed (the Oratory of Santa Maria in Valle), a unique historic and artistic monument, and, as it seems, steeped in mystery and still a subject of study today.

At the time, the building was lavishly decorated with different types of marble, mosaics on a gold background, and a long line of saints on three sides: the renowned stuccowork has charmed visitors for the past three centuries with their extraordinary beauty.

Extensive evidence of the Longobards is preserved in two museums in the town: the Christian Museum of Cathedral houses brings together highly prestigious sculptures including the celebrated Ratchis altar and the Baptistery of Calixtus. The the Cathedral treasury is worth a visit. It includes a precious collection of sacred archaeological treasures and a picture gallery with important works from Verona and Pordenone.

If Cividale is a crown, one of its most precious jewels is the National Archaeology Museum situated in Provveditori Veneti Palace. It is difficult to describe its contents in just a few words: it includes Roman, early Christian and early Medieval artifacts, as well as more modern items. The Longobard collections should not be missed, a rare testimony of craftsmanship, of day-to-day life, funeral objects of the ancient population. In the basement level there are the remains of the Patriarchal palace.

Total time: in total from about 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours (tours to Monastery, to Christian Museum and to National Archaeology Museum with entry cost)

Distance: circa 1.5 km
Difficulty: low (the museums are accessible also for people with limited mobility)

Starting point: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Sportello Informacittà – Information and tourist welcome)

- Corso Mazzini
- Piazza del Duomo: Palazzo Provveditori Veneti – now National Archaeology Museum (entry cost and tour)
- exiting from Archaeological Museum, cross the Piazza del Duomo infront of the Cathedral and turn into Corso Paolino d’Aquileia
- just after the corner of the Cathedral turn into via G.B. Candotti (there is a slight gradient) in the direction of the campanile and go to the the entrance of the Christian and Cathedral Treasury Museum (entrance costand tour)
- exiting the Christian Museum go back onto corso Paolino d’Aquileia and follow the road in the direction of Devil's Bridge
- turn into the second street on the left, via Monastero Maggiore and follow that until house number 34, where there is the entrance to the Santa Maria in Valle Monastery (entrance cost and tour)
- exiting the Monastery via the walkway on the Natisone, you reach S. Biagio square;
- Going back tovia Monastero Maggiore and reaching the Stretta Pozzo of Callissto (there are stairs here) from here it is possible to return to the Cathedral Square

There is also an alternative itinerary without architectural barriers:The Longobards - without architectural barriers
Click to show more

The Longobards - without architectural barriers

accessible
Architectural barriers
No architectural barriers
phone
Phone number
info
Description
Cividale preserves important monumental, artistic and cultural testimony of the Longobard civilization. Here the centres of power coincided with Gastaldaga, where the king’s estates were administered, as well as the Episcopal Complex, the religious centre. Both of these centres, heart of Longobard Cividale, are rich testimony of those times.

The Gastaldaga area is in the so-called Area of the Valleys where the Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle stands annexed to the Longobard Temple (Oratory of Santa Maria in Valle), a unique historic and artistic monument, and, as it seems, steeped in mystery and still subject of study today.

At that time the oratory room was decorated with marble, mosaics on a golden background and the doctrine of the saints on three sides of the complex: the celebrated stuccos have been enchanting visitors with their extraordinary beauty for almost thirteen centuries.

Extensive testimony of the Longobards is preserved in two other museums in the town.
The Christian Museum and Cathedral Treasure brings together highly prestigious sculptures including the celebrated Ratchis altar and the Baptistery of Callisto. The treasury of the Cathedral is worth a visit. It includes a precious collection of sacred archaeological treasures and a picture gallery with important works from Verona and Pordenone.

If Cividale is a crown, one of its most precious jewels is the National Archaeological Museum situated in Provveditori Veneti Palace. It is difficult to describe its contents in just a few words: it includes Roman, early Christian and early Medieval artifacts, as well as more modern items.
The Longobard collections should not be missed, a rare testimony of craftsmanship, of day-to-day life, funeral objects of the ancient population. The basement houses the remains of the Patriarchal Palace.


Total time: approximately from 2.5 to 4 hours (visit to the Monastery, to the Christian Museum and the National Archaeological Museum with entrance fee)

Distance: roughly 1.5 kilometres
Difficulty level: low (the museums are also accessible for those with limited mobility)

Starting point: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà Help Desk – Information and tourist centre)

- Corso Mazzini
- Piazza del Duomo: Palazzo Provveditori Veneti – now National Archaeologyical Museum (entrance cost and tour)
- coming out of Archaeological Museum , cross Piazza del Duomo going in front of the Cathedral and enter Corso Paolino d’Aquileia
- just past the Cathedral corner, enter via G.B. Candotti (which is slightly sloped) in the campanile direction and go on until the entrance of the Christian Museum and Cathedral Treasure (entry cost and tour)
- exiting the Christian Museum go back to corso Paolino d’Aquileia and go down the road in the direction of the Devil's Bridge
- turn into the second street on the left, via Monastero Maggiore and follow that until house number 36, where there is the entrance for people with limited mobility to the Santa Maria in Valle Monastery (entrance cost and tour)
- exiting the Monastery go down via Monastero Maggiore in the direction of the Devil's Bridge, enter Corso Paolino d’Aquileia and return to the Cathedral Square

There is also an alternative itinerary without architectural barriers:The Longobards - with architectural barriers
Click to show more

Buildings, squares and streets

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Description
The itinerary begins at Piazza Paolo Diacono and, either of the two routes suggested will lead to the Town hall.
The route then leads towards the Cathedral Square to "listen to the history" of the noble buildings, testament to the town's history : Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo de Nordis and Palazzo dei Provveditori Veneti; continuing towards Piazza San Francesco you can admire the eighteenth century Palazzo Brosadola whilst in Piazza Foro Giulio Cesare stands the monument to Adelaide Ristori, the actress of international fame who was born in Cividale del Friuli, an important voice of the Italian Risorgimento.
We then reach Corso Mazzini and Palazzo Levrini Stringher, a building with frescoes showing sacred subjects and mythological scenes, and some historic scenes of town life such as the pharmacy.
Continuing along via Carlo Alberto the route leads to Palazzo de Portis, owned by one of the most powerful noble families in the town, then crossing via Canussio you come to the beautiful Castle of the same name, finally arriving at Piazza Diaz with its Rationalist period architecture. Living in the present, recounting the past and with an eye on the future.

Time needed: two hours and thirty minutes (entry - with fee - and visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale)
Distance: three kilometres
Difficulty level: easy

Starting point: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà Helpdesk – Information and tourist centre)

- Stretta della Giudaica: Medievel House (with stairs/access ramp with cobblestones)
- Via Monastero Maggiore/ stretta Cerchiari (slight gradient)
- Piazza Duomo: Palazzo Provveditori Veneti (National Araeological Museum)
- Corso Paolino d’Aquileia: Palazzo Comunale -
Following corso P. d’Aquileia / Stretta Stellini/ piazza San Francesco: Palazzo Brosadola
- Foro Giulio Cesare: Monument to Adelaide Ristori
- Piazzetta Terme Romane/ stretta de Rubeis/ corso Mazzini: Palazzo Levrini Stringher and Pharmacy
- Via Carlo Alberto / p.tta de Portis: Palazzo de Portis
- Via Canussio: Castello Canussio Craigher

There is an alternative to this route with architectural barriers: buildings, squares and streets - without architectural barriers
Click to show more

Buildings, squares, streets - without architecture barriers

accessible
Architectural barriers
No architectural barriers
info
Description
The itinerary begins at Piazza Paolo Diacono and, either of the two routes suggested will lead to the Town hall.
The route then leads towards the Cathedral Square to "listen to the history" of the noble buildings, testament to the town's history : Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo de Nordis and Palazzo dei Provveditori Veneti; continuing towards Piazza San Francesco you can admire the eighteenth century Palazzo Brosadola whilst in Piazza Foro Giulio Cesare stands the monument to Adelaide Ristori, the actress of international fame who was born in Cividale del Friuli, an important voice of the Italian Risorgimento.
We then reach Corso Mazzini and Palazzo Levrini Stringher, a building with frescoes showing sacred subjects and mythological scenes, and some historic scenes of town life such as the pharmacy.
Continuing along via Carlo Alberto the route leads to Palazzo de Portis, owned by one of the most powerful noble families in the town, then crossing via Canussio you come to the beautiful Castle of the same name, finally arriving at Piazza Diaz with its Rationalist period architecture. Living in the present, recounting the past and with an eye on the future.

Time needed: two hours and thirty minutes (entry - with fee - and visit to the Museo Archeologico Nazionale)
Distance: three kilometres
Difficulty level: easy

Starting point: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà Helpdesk – Information and tourist centre)

- Piazza Diacono: Palazzo ex Monte di Pietà e so-called house of Paul the Deacon
- Via Patriarcato/Piazza Duomo: Palazzo dei Provveditori Veneti and Palazzo de Nordis
- Corso Paolino d’Aquileia: Palazzo Comunale
- Going along corso P. d’Aquileia / Stretta Stellini/ piazza San Francesco: Palazzo Brosadola
- Foro Giulio Cesare: Monument to Adelaide Ristori
- Piazzetta Terme Romane/ stretta de Rubeis/ corso Mazzini: Palazzo Levrini Stringher and Pharmacy
- Via Carlo Alberto / p.tta de Portis: Palazzo de Portis
- Via Canussio: Castello Canussio Craigher
There is an alternative to this route with architectural barriers: buildings, squares and streets
Click to show more

The 4 faces of Cividale

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Possible architectural barriers
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Description
Cividale is so steeped in history that the visitor can actually feel it.

The town has preserved the most important artistic and cultural features of its extremely wealthy past.

A Roman, Longobard, Patriarchal and Veneto city these are the four different faces of Cividale, which visitors can still admire today in an unforgettable journey through time.

Total time: total from around 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours (possible visits to Monastery, to Christian museum and to National Archaeological Museum with entrance fees)

Distance: cc. 3 kilometres

Difficulty: low (the museums are accessible to people of limited mobility)

Start: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà counter – Information and tourist centre)
- Corso Mazzini, corso Paolino d’Aquileia, via Monastero Maggiore: Celtic Hypogeum (stairs present)
- Corso Paolino d’Aquileia, Town hall building;
- Piazza del Duomo: National Archaeological Museum;
- Stretta Pozzo di Callisto (stairs present), via Monastero Maggiore: Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle e Longobard Temple,
- via Monastero Maggiore, stretta Cornelio Gallo, via G.B. Candotti (stairs present): Christian Museum and Cathedral Treasure;
- Piazza del Duomo: Duomo e Palazzo de Nordis;
- Largo Boiani, Foro Giulio Cesare, piazza Dante: Arsenale Veneto Porta S.Pietro;
- via Ristori, Piazza Paolo Diacono

There is an alternative to this route without architectural barriers: The four faces of Cividale - without architectural barriers
Click to show more

The four faces of Cividale - without architectural barriers

accessible
Architectural barriers
No architectural barriers
phone
Phone number
info
Description
Cividale is so steeped in history that the visitor can actually feel it.

The town has preserved the most important artistic and cultural features of its extremely wealthy past.

A Roman, Longobard, Patriarchal and Veneto city these are the four different faces of Cividale, which visitors can still admire today in an unforgettable journey through time.

Total time: total from around 2 hours and 30 minutes to 4 hours (possible visits to Monastery, to Christian museum and to National Archaeological Museum with entrance fees)

Distance: circa 3 km

Difficulty: low (the museums are accessible to people of limited mobility)


Start: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà counter – Information and tourist centre)
- Corso Paolino d’Aquileia, Town hall building;
- Piazza del Duomo: National Archaeological Museum; Palazzo de Nordis and Cathedral;
- just past the corner of the Cahedral, turn into Via G.B. Candotti (slight gradient): Christian Museum and Cathedral Treasure;
- corso Paolino d’Aquileia towards Devil's bridge;
-via Monastero Maggiore: Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle and Longobard Temple;
- return throughvia Monastero Maggiore, in the direction of Devil's bridge;, and again corso Paolino d'Aquileia;
- Largo Boiani, Foro Giulio Cesare, piazza Dante: Veneto Arsenal Porta S.Pietro;
- via Ristori, Piazza Paolo Diacono.

There is an alternative to this route without architectural barriers: The four faces of Cividale - with architectural barriers
Click to show more

Walls, remains, towers

accessible
Architectural barriers
Possible architectural barriers
phone
Phone number
info
Description
A route through which to discover the past and future of Cividale del Friuli, a real treasure trove nestled in the valleys of Natisone, easing along the banks of the river with the same name.
The town unravels its history: Celtic, Roman, Longobard, Venetian and brings you closer to its future, boasting avant-guard architectural works.

The itinerary takes you along the different villages of the town and offers two possibilities to meet the needs of the traveller. From Piazza Paolo Diacono you can reach the area of the ancient gastaldaga from the Longobard era.
Going up the typical narrow alleyways, which characterize the town, you reach the ancient town walls with the defence towers and the Porta di San Pietro, also known as the Veneto arsenal. The urban trek continues with a final stop at a complex of contemporary architecture, coexisting with the ancient origins of Forum Julii.

A unique opportunity "to read" traces of the past (even the more recent past) and interpretations of the future.

Total time: 2 hours and 30 minutes (entrance - with fee - and visit to the Monastery and National Archaeological Museum)
Distance: circa three kilometres
Difficulty level: low
Starting point: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà Help desk – Information and tourist centre)
- Stretta della Giudaica – Farie Geretti
- Via Monastero Maggiore: Medieval House (access to stairs/ ramp to descend cobblestoned area)
- Via Monastero Maggiore: Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle
- Stretta Pozzo di Callisto (access to stairs)
- Piazza Duomo: Palazzo Provveditori Veneti (National Archaeological Museum)
- Largo Boiani / Forum of Julius Caesar / piazza s. Francesco
- Stretta Mulinuss / piazza XX settembre: Town walls
- Piazza Dante: Veneto Arsenal (Porta San Pietro) There is an alternative version to this route without architectural barriers: Walls, remains, towers - without architectural barriers
Click to show more

Walls, remains, towers - without architectural obstacles

accessible
Architectural barriers
No architectural barriers
phone
Phone number
info
Description
A route through which to discover the past and future of Cividale del Friuli, a real treasure trove nestled in the valleys of Natisone, easing along the banks of the river which carries the same name.

The town unravels its history: Celtic, Roman, Longobard, Venetian and brings you closer to its future, boasting avant-guard architectural works.

The itinerary takes you along the different villages of the town and offers two variants to meet the needs of the traveller. From Piazza Paolo Diacono you can reach the area of the ancient Gastaldaga from the Longobard era.
Going up the typical narrow alleyways, which characterize the town, you reach the ancient town walls with the defence towers and the Porta di San Pietro, also known as the Veneto arsenal. The urban trek continues with a final stop at a complex of contemporary architecture, coexisting with the ancient origins of Forum Julii.

A unique opportunity "to read" traces of the past (even the more recent past) and interpretations of the future.
Total time: two hours and forty-five minutes (entrance - with fee - and Monastery and National Archaeological Museum)
Distance: circa three kilometres
Difficulty level: low

Starting point: Piazza Paolo Diacono, 10 (Informacittà Help desk – Information and tourist centre)
- Corso Mazzini / Piazza Duomo: Palazzo Provveditori Veneti
- Corso Paolino d’Aquileia: Devil´s Bridge
- Via Monastero Maggiore: Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle
- Via Monastero Maggiore: [LINK_L39][Medieval House]
- Stretta Cornelio Gallo/corso Paolino d’Aquileia: palazzo comunale
- Internal courtyard adjacent to the Town hall / Piazza san Francesco / Stretta Mulinuss / piazza XX settembre: Town walls
- Piazza Dante: Veneto Arsenal (Porta San Pietro)

There is an alternative version to this route with architectural obstacles:
Walls, remains, towers
Click to show more