What can surprise Italy? Udine is a provincial town in the north of the country

Italy - a country with an ancient history and culture, so it has always attracted the attention of tourists. About her most popular cities are all heard. These are Venice, Florence, Milan, Pisa and, of course, Rome. But besides them, there are many more places that Italy is rich in. Udine is a small town located in the province of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. It has a unique location, located between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea.

City `s history

Udine has a rich history, although it was founded much later than other major Italian cities. The first mention of it appeared only in 983. At this time here was located the castle Utynum, from which later the name of the modern city took place. In the same century around the castle were built fortress walls.
The flowering of Udine began in the XIII century. In 1238, the residence of Archbishop Aquileia was moved to the city, which ordered the construction of a cathedral in the city. The city is transformed into the capital of the Aquilean duchy - a large territorial formation of northern Italy.

In 1418 Venice declares to Aquilee an ultimatum, as a result of which the city of Udine passes into the hands of Venetian doges. In 1472 the territory was plundered by the Turks, and in the 16th year the region suffered a severe earthquake. Because of the cataclysm, many ancient monuments were destroyed. The castle of Udine - the oldest construction of the region - was seriously damaged. In total, more than 5,000 people died.

At the end of the XVIII century the Venetian Republic ceases to exist, and Udine passes under the rule of Austria. But a few years later, as a result of Napoleon's conquests, the city passed under the control of the French.

The second round of development of Udine began due to the construction of the railway. The city connected Venice and Trieste, which contributed to the influx of people. In 1866, the united state of Italy appeared. Udine joins him in the results of the popular vote.

Freedom Square

In any major city of the country the main attraction is its area, it is they who are famous for Italy. Udine is no exception. The central building of the city is Liberty Square. On its perimeter are many beautiful buildings and monuments that will hit any tourist. It is also considered a truly "Venetian" square.

Here is a fountain of Cararra - an ancient echo of the Renaissance. In 1539 a column of St. Mark was erected, adorned with a magnificent lion. A little later, the territory was supplemented by a statue of Justice, as well as many other sculptures.

Cathedral

The construction of the church began in the distant 1236 year. On the site of the building was an old stone chapel. Its foundation was discovered quite recently during the restoration work. The building of the cathedral was seriously damaged during the earthquake of 1511. The facade was almost completely destroyed, and it was only 20 years later that it was restored.

Over the centuries, he regularly rebuilt. To it were added new arches and an extension, and in the 18th century the cathedral was completely changed beyond recognition, trying to follow the popular Baroque style in those days. The cathedral restored its historically correct appearance only in the 20th century, when the facade was returned to the 14th century. Recently, the Cathedral is constantly on restoration work, but this does not prevent tourists from visiting it.

The interior of the building is made in the Baroque style. Unlike the external facade, restoration is not carried out here. From the inside, the cathedral impresses with its grandeur and grandeur. There are many ancient statues, and the walls are painted with frescoes that tell stories from the Bible.

Archbishop's Palace

Unique palaces - this is what Italy is known for. Udine has the Archbishop's Palace, the ancient residence of the patriarchs of Aquileia. The building was built in the early 16th century by the order of the archbishop, who wanted to move from the ancient castle of Udine to a more modern dwelling. In 1708, the famous Domenico Rossi worked on the palace. He designed for him a wing for the library, a central facade, and a grand staircase.

Currently, the Diocesan Museum and Gallery are located in the palace. The building is located in the city center, near the Cathedral. There is also a library, which stores more than 10,000 ancient manuscripts and books. They lie on the shelves made in the XVIII century.

Udine Castle

The castle of Udine is a symbol of the city. The oldest place around which gradually grew up settlement. Located in the center of Udine on a hill near the Freedom Square. The first mention of the castle dates back to the 10th century, when the emperor gave it to a certain Rodoaldo. The castle complex twice suffered from destructive earthquakes: in 1348 and in 1511. A year after the last cataclysm, the castle enveloped the fire, and it completely lost its original appearance.

The construction of the castle, which tourists can see today, began in 1517. The development of the complex involved a pupil of Raphael. Prior to Napoleon's conquests, the castle had a local governing body, and now the castle is used by the museum of archeology and Italian history. In the inner halls there are often guided tours, as well as exhibitions.

Arch of Bollani

Freedom Square has another architectural monument - the Bolly's Arch. Through it passes the road to the famous castle of Udine. It was built in 1556 in honor of the ruler who saved the city from a plague epidemic. The main decoration of the arch was the lion of St. Mark with wings made of copper. But during the wars of conquest the French removed the lion from the arch and took him to their homeland. The new lion was raised to its former place only in 1953.

Provincial Udine (Italy), whose sights are not inferior to the monuments of other cities, will surely appeal to travelers who enjoy walks in historical places. Another advantage of the city is the relative cheapness of the visit and the absence of a rapid flow of tourists. Staying here, you can visit the major cities of northern Italy, because the road to them does not require much time.