Udine deservers an unhurried visit for, in addition to possessing a historic city-centre rich in famous monuments (the oldest document that names Udine is a diploma of Emperor Otto II dated 983), it is also a peaceful provincial city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region where you can walk through the streets and squares unbothered by chaotic and exasperating traffic. Here one can still discover quiet corners where life goes on with a 'still-human' rhythm and warmth.
Should anybody be interested in knowing more about Udine and Friuli's "osterie", art galleries, film festivals, peculiar language, beautiful nature parks from mountains to seashore,just reply to this message.
Thank you for your hint: you are right, Bill, even if the picture you attached has nothing to do with Friuli. As you probably know, Palmanova (Palma) is celebrated for it is a fortress shaped like a nine-pointed star, surrounded by massive Venetian bulwarks and French fortifications (Napoleolic period). Aquileia was founded by Romans in 181 B.C. and its archaeological area is exceptionally important: it is considered part of the Heritage of Mankind by Unesco. Have you ever come over Friuli? Regards, tiberio
No I haven't; actually, Udine is on my list, in part also because some "pals" there worked on part of my website.
I got into a lot of trouble a month or so ago for suggesting to someone — who wanted to see Italy a bit cheaper and less touristed — that they need not go to what I call "The Corridor" (Rome - Chianti - Florence - Venice); your area is a perfect example, and Friuli's been on my list for a coupla years at least; for one thing I want to see Cividale because of the battle. And if anyone could get bored with Italy (!) neighboring Slovenia is gorgeous too....
(And yes, that thumbnail in my signature is just my own little icon for another part of the site: it's a church in rural Umbria, actually.)
Bill It's really funny:the picture the pals working on part of your website have chosen shows the school I attended as a Liceum student: "Jacopo Stellini"! And I think I recognized the teacher on the left,I guess she is Elena Piemonte, a very nice teacher of English who has been a colleague of mine in an another high school. I liked your definition of "The corridor", I will use it (quoting the author ...). Keep in touch! tiberio www.theitaliancollege.com (why don't you register in my website's "meeting point" message board and help my community grow?)
We're leaving tomorrow on a last minute 2 night trip to Udine (from Florence) on the way to Hungary. If it's not too much, would you mind mentioning a few things that would be interesting to see. I'm mainly interested in medieval and renaissance art (and not in napoleonic fortresses).
Also what hotels would you suggest? Thanks Alexandra and her family
Dear Alexandra In Friuli there are beautiful Medieval castles, but not in Udine. Here I would suggest to visit, however, the 'San Nicolò chapel' behind the high altar inside the Duomo; and the 'Chiesa di Santa Maria del Castello', that dates back to XIII century and is the oldest church in Udine. You can find it on your way to Udine's castle, starting your walk from the very central 'Piazza Libertà'. This square and the whole historical centre of Udine is "Renaissance"; I am sure you will enjoy the 'Loggia del Lionello'. Do not miss 'Piazza San Giacomo' as well.
Ref. accommodation, there is a friend of mine who runs a Bed&Breakfast close to city centre, but it will not be available next week, unless your night in Udine be meant to be tonight 26th December. I could suggest other fine and cheap Guesthouses outside Udine ... but if you need to find a place in the city I would recommend to go and ask information to the Tourist Office in 'Piazza Primo Maggio': they will give you a listing with prices.
Should you need help or an Autrhorized Tour Guide or would you be interested in my friend's central and cheap accommodation as you come back from Hungary, just let me know by email or calling me at 347 700 2430.
I read on your profile you are Canadian: I have dual citizenship as well, as my mother was born in Alberta.
Dear Diva "Blasut" is one of the best restaurants in Friuli. The cuisine of Friuli Venezia Giulia is made of thousands of flavours: it was born from the union of three great culinary traditions, the Austrian, the Venetian and the Slav, plus a sturdy and tasty popular cuisine, made of simple and wholesame recipes prepared by country and mountain people with the few raw materials available (e.g. "polenta"). The are differences among Trieste, Gorizia, Friulian and Carnic cuisine. If you are interested, I can give some examples.
An interesting occasion to taste these flavours and enjoy a very very big "city party" is on every year's September, as "Friuli DOC" takes place in Udine. Udine, where less than 100.000 inhabitants live, in those 4 days is joyfully invaded by 1 million people, who can taste our food and wine in all the restaurants, "trattorie", "osterie" and 'on purpose set open-air stalls' of the city.
Tiberio.-- let's talk! see you are offering Cooking classes in Dublin!!! I teach here in FLorence and am always looking for teachers in other area's to send students!
If we refer to great art in Friuli, we cannot avoid talking about Cividale, that Bill already quoted. The ancient "Forum Iulii" was founded in the first century B.C. by Julius Caesar, but its most astonishing historical and artistic period has been the "Langobardum" (the 'Lombards'). You can still visit the "Tempietto Longobardo" a Christian church opening onto the Natisone river, with its stucco decorations and frescos dating back to the 8th century, or the "Ipogeo Celtico", known as Roman jail or Lombard prison. Please go to www.theitaliancollege.com/italy_tours.html if you wish to have a look to a part of the "Tempietto" (it is the picture on the lower right part).
My wife and I will be in Italy in September 2006. We already have 2 weeks planned for Lake Garda and a Tuscany villa.
My father came from St. Vito di Tagliamenti and my mother from Pordenone. I would like to spend a week in the area, but there is little to read and what is available does not promote the area very well.
My wife and I like small quaint villages, walking, and I especially want to taste the food of the region, which I have not had for 20 or so years.
My only exposure to this area was on a tour bus passing from Austria on the way to Venice and it didn't look very nice.
Please convince me that it
quote:
Originally posted by tiberio: Udine deservers an unhurried visit for, in addition to possessing a historic city-centre rich in famous monuments (the oldest document that names Udine is a diploma of Emperor Otto II dated 983), it is also a peaceful provincial city of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region where you can walk through the streets and squares unbothered by chaotic and exasperating traffic. Here one can still discover quiet corners where life goes on with a 'still-human' rhythm and warmth.
Should anybody be interested in knowing more about Udine and Friuli's "osterie", art galleries, film festivals, peculiar language, beautiful nature parks from mountains to seashore,just reply to this message.
I spent a week in Cividale del Friuli (about 10 mi from Udine) --
It's a beautiful sleepy little town with a cheap, convenient train line to Udine, and within easy striking distance then of Aquileia, Trieste, San Daniele, etc.
In the town is one of the coolest old churches in Italy, the Tempietto Longobardo, a small 6th-century chapel founded by invading Lombards.
Aquileia is one of the most amazing sights in Italy as well -- the mosaics and the old town are really fascinating.
As far as eating and drinking goes, it's nearly impossible to go wrong, and there's an endless variety. Friulian food and wine are some of my personal favorites.
Thanks for the recommendations. I'll put these on my list of places to visit. I've started going through the threads of cities in the area and I am starting to think it is a great place to visit - friendly people, great food, nice villages.
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