Bicinicco: Frescoes, History and Trails

Bicinicco is a starting point for exploring old and modern Friulian frescoes. In Gris, a fresco cycle extends across the vault, choir and nave; of the medieval Centa di Bicinicco, mainly a tower remains. A historic tobacco-drying facility in Gris and a route from Sammardenchia to Bicinicco add a picture of former uses and movement through the flat landscape of the Medio Friuli.

Frescoes in Gris and Cuccana

In the Church of Sant’Andrea Apostolo in Gris di Bicinicco, the fresco cycle covers the vault and the walls of the choir and nave. The paintings are attributed to Gaspare and Arsenio Negro and their workshop; they were created between 1529 and 1531. Their distribution across several parts of the church makes the architecture itself part of the fresco subject. The attribution and period of creation also give the cycle a specific art-historical context. The Church of San Marco in Cuccana, which preserves significant fresco cycles, offers another connection to the Friulian Renaissance. Thus, an attributed and dated cycle in Gris and Renaissance frescoes in Cuccana provide different points of reference for an interest in Friulian art.

Traces of earlier building and working practices

Of the medieval Centa di Bicinicco, essentially only the tower with an elevated entrance door remains. The tower was later converted into a bell tower. This change connects a surviving part of the medieval complex with a later function. Gris is also home to the Essiccatoio Tabacchi, also known as the Essiccatoio di Griis, a historic tobacco-drying facility. The two buildings therefore offer different perspectives: the Centa is about the conversion of a tower, while the Essiccatoio relates to the former processing of tobacco. Alongside the frescoes and churches, this brings a historic agricultural use into view.

On foot or by bike through the Medio Friuli

The route from Sammardenchia to Bicinicco offers an active alternative to the art- and architectural-history themes. After passing through Chiasottis, it follows agricultural tracks to Bicinicco and can be covered by bike or on foot. It crosses the flat landscape of the Medio Friuli, with farmland, orchards and vineyards. Since both ways of travelling are mentioned for the same route, you can consider which way of exploring you prefer, while the landscape features described remain the same. The route thus combines a specific way to get around with a distinctly agricultural landscape.

Plan your stay around your interests

There are different options when choosing the focus of your trip. If you are particularly interested in frescoes and architectural history, Sant’Andrea Apostolo, San Marco and the tower of the Centa can guide your itinerary. If you would rather plan a route on foot or by bike, the route from Sammardenchia to Bicinicco is a specific option. The difference lies in the focus you prefer: art and historic buildings on the one hand, or a route through an agricultural landscape on the other. You can take these interests into account when looking for a holiday apartment in Bicinicco and shape your stay around the discoveries that appeal to you most.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Prato Carnico, Corno Di Rosazzo, Raibl, Castelmonte, Latisana, Palazzolo Dello Stella, Buja, Savogna di Cividale.

Return to the main travel overview: Udine.