Discover Udine: Art, History and Cycling

Udine combines an impressive urban history with museums, art and a cycling route that leads all the way to Grado and the Grado Lagoon. The defining landmark is Udine Castle, which stands on a hill overlooking the city’s historic centre. Those planning a trip can combine cultural discoveries in the city with an active excursion idea.

Casa della Contadinanza is located on Piazzale del Castello. It is a reconstruction of a 16th-century municipal building that was the seat of the Contadinanza, one of the most important political bodies of the Patria del Friuli. The site thus offers a tangible insight into the political and urban history of Friuli.

Art and history in Udine

Since 1995, the Museo Diocesano e Gallerie del Tiepolo has been housed in the Palazzo Patriarcale di Udine. Since the 16th century, the palazzo was the residence of the Patriarch of Aquileia; today, this function continues as the residence of the archbishop. The exhibition tour begins in the atrium at the ceremonial staircase. This is where Tiepolo’s first decorations are located, continuing in the Sala Rossa and the Galleria degli Ospiti on the piano nobile.

The collection of the Museo Diocesano comprises around 700 works. Some of them are publicly displayed in the rooms on the first and second floors. This makes the visit particularly interesting for travellers who do not want to consider historic rooms and art separately. The Civici Musei di Udine also offer guided tours and workshops; reservations are required to participate.

Museums for different interests

Udine also offers points of interest beyond ecclesiastical art. The Museo Friulano di Storia Naturale provides educational and scientific outreach for the general public and schools. Those travelling with children who would like to discover natural history topics together can include this offering in their travel plans. Casa Cavazzini is home to the Museo di Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Udine. Its Collezione FRIAM comprises 113 works by prominent figures in American contemporary art history.

The Duomo di Udine offers another historical perspective. Its construction began in 1236 on the site of an existing church dedicated to Saint Jerome, under Patriarch Bertoldo di Andechs-Merania. In Udine, sacred architecture, political history and different areas of the collections can thus be combined into a varied cultural programme.

Udine as a base for culture and cycling

When searching for a holiday apartment in Udine, you can consider what focus you want your trip to have: cultural sightseeing in the city or a plan in which the cycling route is given its own day of travel. The Udine–Grado cycling route (C103) leads from Udine to Grado and the Grado Lagoon. In addition, Udine is served by frequent regional trains that allow bicycles. This can be taken into account when planning a journey by bicycle.

Especially when family members have different interests, this distinction helps with planning each day: one day can be dedicated to the museums, the castle and the city’s history, while another can focus on combining cycling with the route towards Grado. For further searches, you can also compare the following places: Magnano In Riviera, Percoto, Comeglians, Talmassons, Tricesimo, Remanzacco, Sutrio and Cepletischis.

To the overarching travel overview: Udine.