Udine: Art, History and Parco del Cormor

Udine Castle stands on a hill above the old town. Museums, churches, squares and green spaces offer further perspectives on the city. When planning your trip, you can choose different focuses: art collections and architectural history, Friulian culture, or time in the park and on a bike.

Castle, Museums and Architectural History

At the castle, the Galleria d’Arte Antica displays important works of art from the 14th to the 19th century, including paintings by Carpaccio, Caravaggio and Tiepolo. The Museo della Fotografia offers a different view of the region, displaying 19th- and 20th-century photographs by photographers who worked in Friuli, including Pignat, Bujatti and Brisighelli. Visitors with limited mobility can reach the castle via lifts accessed from Vicolo Sottomonte. As access arrangements may change, check them before your trip.

Casa Cavazzini is a historic 16th-century palace that houses the Museo d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea. A 16th-century Venetian cistern is also visible there through a glass floor. Separate from this are the secular frescoes in Palazzo Savorgnan della Bandiera, which date from the second half of the 14th century.

Construction of the present-day Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata began in 1236. Visitors with limited mobility can access it via a ramp on the north side; check the access arrangements before your visit. Another trace of history leads to the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio abate. The originally Gothic building, dating from the 14th century, was consecrated in 1354. The church contains the tombs of four of the last Patriarchs of Aquileia.

The «Percorso Tiepolo» offers the chance to see works preserved in Udine at four locations: the castle, the Museo Diocesano, the Chiesa dell’Oratorio della Purità and the cathedral. Admission to the Oratorio della Purità is free; as ticket arrangements may change, check them before your visit. The Museo Etnografico del Friuli adds to the picture of the region with collections on its traditions, folk culture and history.

Green Spaces and Cycling Route

Parco del Cormor is Udine’s largest park, covering about 30 hectares. Densely planted woodland contrasts with open meadows; the park also has a lookout point, paths and small roads, as well as a children’s playground. Parco del Cormor is also accessible to people with disabilities. Its varied landscape gives the park a different character from the city’s art and historical sites, without requiring you to plan any particular leisure activities.

Cyclists can also include Udine in their plans: the FVG1 Ciclovia Alpe Adria passes through the city as part of a route connecting Austria and northern Slovenia with the Friulian Adriatic coast. Check the current signposting before setting out, as the route may change.

Piazza Life and Friulian Culture

Piazza Matteotti, also known as Piazza San Giacomo, is an open-air salon surrounded by colorful buildings and elegant arcades. The tables of historic cafés are part of its cityscape. A tajut is a small glass of Friulian white wine served in the historic center with ham and typical Friulian cheeses.

Festivals and Event Dates

The Far East Film Festival offers retrospectives, conversations with leading figures in Asian cinema, and a themed meeting on Asian cinema every afternoon. It takes place over nine screening days each year at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine. Check the relevant event dates and program before your trip. Friuli DOC features concerts, performances, opportunities to discover local products, tastings, workshops, sports activities, activities for children, as well as stalls and meet-ups. Dates and program change each year. This lets you plan your trip to Udine around its cultural sites, life in the squares, the park or an event period that suits you.

Discover more destinations: Terzo D'aquileia, Attimis, Camino Al Tagliamento, Cassacco, Coseano, Villa Vicentina, Gonars, Forni Di Sopra, Tolmezzo, Valpicetto, Raibl, Sottoselva, Azzano, Lauco, Comeglians, Chiopris-Viscone, Nimis, Pulfero, Sella Nevea, Sauris, Teor, Villa Santina, Gemona Del Friuli, Sedegliano, Mortegliano, Ruda, Tarcento, Tissano, Bertiolo, Rivignano, Lestizza, Lusevera, Codroipo, Sutrio, Ragogna, Pontebba, Porpetto, Buttrio, San Leonardo, Treppo Grande, Forni di Sotto, Artegna, Aiello del Friuli, Cornino, Ligosullo, Raveo, Nogaredo di Corno, Aquileia, Tarvisio, Savogna di Cividale, Cervignano Del Friuli, Stregna, Udine, Palazzolo Dello Stella, Pradamano, San Daniele Del Friuli, Buja, San Giorgio Di Nogaro, Chiusaforte, San Vito Al Torre, Ronchis, Moruzzo, Cavazzo Carnico, Remanzacco, San Giovanni Al Natisone, Paluzza, Pozzuolo del Friuli, Cepletischis, Castelmonte, Moimacco, Pavia di Udine, Pasian di Prato, Bagnaria Arsa, Lignano Sabbiadoro, Santa Maria la Longa, Cividale Del Friuli, Corno Di Rosazzo, Grimacco, Rive D'arcano, San Pietro Al Natisone, Povoletto, Tricesimo, Colloredo di Monte Albano, Sant'Eliseo, Percoto, Taipana, Enemonzo, Passariano, Lavariano, Valbruna, Pocenia, Lateis, Collina, Campoformido, Caporiacco, Polizza, Gorgo, Talmassons, Romans, San Valentino, Socchieve, Tavagnacco, Latisana, Palmanova, Forni Avoltri, Flaibano, Trivignano Udinese, Ravascletto, Torreano, Bicinicco, Majano, Venzone, Résiatal, Castions Di Strada, Prato Carnico, Faedis, Fagagna, Ampezzo, Manzano, Martignacco, Torsa, Precenicco, Premariacco, Prepotto, Marano Lagunare, Osoppo, Moggio Udinese, Arta Terme, Ovaro, Torviscosa, Malborghetto Valbruna, Magnano In Riviera.

For the regional travel overview: Friuli Venezia Giulia.