7 Day Itinerary in Udine

Udine is a city in northern Italy. It is between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps. It is an important commercial town apart from being a place of historical interest. Here is a well-planned seven day itinerary to help visitors make the most of their trip to Udine.

Day One

Visit the old residence of the patriarchs of Aquileia. The palazzo Patriarcale was erected by Giovanni Fontana in 1517 in place of the older one destroyed by an earthquake in 1511. Under the Austrians, it was used as a prison.

Day Two

Visit the church of Santa Maria della Purità. It has 18th-century frescoes by Giambattista Tiepolo and his son Domenico. The church dedicated to St. Mary of the Castle is probably the oldest in Udine, judging from extant fragments dating back to the Lombard era.

Day Three

On the third day visit the principal square (Piazza della Libertà). You will find the town hall (Loggia del Lionello) built in 1448-1457 in the Venetian-Gothic style opposite a clock tower (Torre dell’Orologio) resembling the one in Venice. Opposite the Loggia del Lionello is the Loggia di San Giovanni, a Renaissance structure designed by Bernardino da Morcote. Other noteworthy monuments in the square are the Fountain, the Columns bearing the Venetian Lion and the Statue of Justice (1614), the statues of Hercules and Cacus and the Statue of Peace (1819).

Day Four

The Cathedral of Udine is an imposing building whose construction started in 1236, on a Latin cross-shaped plan with three naves and chapels along the sides. The church was consecrated in 1335 as Santa Maria Maggiore.

Day Five

Visit the center of Udine and the Castle, built by the Venetians from 1517 over a Lombard fortification. The current Renaissance appearance dates from the intervention of Giovanni da Udine. The castle is home to one of the most ancient Parliament Halls of Europe.

Day Six

Visit the museums and take in the art and culture of the locals. You will not be disappointed whether your taste is in paintings or earthenware. From its Archaeological Museum that details the history of the area to the Ancient Art Museum with its wonderful collection of local as well as classic Italian painters, the visitor will feel it was well worth their time. Other museums include the Museum of Photography as well as the Museum of Modern Art, the Friuli Museum of Folkloristic Peasant Traditions and Art and the Natural History Museum.

Day Seven

While visiting Udine, you should also take in other museums in the area, such as the Paleochristian Museum and Archaeological Museum-both in Aquileia. Another spot to visit for its many museums is Venice, which is only a bit over 50 miles away.

Udine is a great place to visit and offers plenty to see for the artistically and culturally bent tourist.