Discover Sottoselva: Church and Tradition

In Sottoselva, architectural history and religious tradition come together in tangible examples. The Church of Saints Lorenzo and Sebastiano combines several historical periods; religious events give the town its own place in the calendar. Nearby, Palmanova provides a cultural context with its fortress, underground galleries and historical museum.

Church and Religious Tradition in Sottoselva

The Church of Saints Lorenzo and Sebastiano was established in 1813 by the merger of the churches of Sottoselva and Villa San Lorenzo. Its present structure was completed in 1847. The two dates mark different stages: 1813 represents the merger, while 1847 marks the completion of the present structure. This makes it possible to place the church’s origins in context without confusing the two dates.

The church also contains a holy water font dating from 1562. It comes from the demolished Church of San Lorenzo and therefore predates the present structure. This single object makes the different periods especially tangible: the font preserves a connection to an older church building, while the present church dates from the 19th century.

Religious traditions are also part of the local character. The traditional Perdon dal Rosari celebration takes place on the third Sunday in October. In addition, the parish of Sottoselva takes part each year in the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Madonna di Barbana. The celebration and the pilgrimage are two separate occasions that shape the religious calendar; a specific date in the annual cycle is given for Perdon dal Rosari.

Palmanova: Fortress, Museum and Underground Galleries

The fortress of Palmanova was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List on 9 July 2017. Its history can be explored further at the Palmanova Civic Historical Museum, housed in Trevisan Palace.

The collections include original documents, drawings, weapons, armour and memorabilia from the Venetian, Napoleonic, Austrian and Italian periods. The museum serves as a starting point for understanding both the history of the city and the development of its complex fortified urban layout. The various materials offer different ways to explore these periods, from documents and drawings to weapons and memorabilia.

The fortress has an extensive network of underground galleries, some of which are equipped for visits. The Gallerie Sotterranee di Contromina include a 550-metre underground route for exploring Palmanova’s defence system. In June 2025, weekend openings and special openings were planned for the Gallerie di Contromina and Baluardo Donato; group visits were possible by reservation. Check current visiting arrangements before your trip.

Palmanova is served by the Udine–Cervignano del Friuli railway line and the ARRIVA UDINE – Autoservizi FVG (TPL FVG) bus service. Check the timetable for your travel date. This allows you to consider transport connections and plans for visiting Palmanova as separate points.

Choose the Right Focus

When looking for a holiday apartment in Sottoselva, it helps to decide what you want to focus on: are you especially interested in local church history and religious traditions, or are you planning to include Palmanova’s museum and fortifications as an additional activity? The main differences lie in the type of cultural attractions: Sottoselva combines architectural history with religious events, while Palmanova focuses on fortification architecture, collections and underground structures.

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For the main travel overview: Udine.