Udine
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 30 December 2023
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The city of Udine is the capital city of the UTI del Friuli Centrale with a population of 99,377 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 113 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 56 km² and lies 77 kilometres north west of Trieste, the regional capital of Friuli Venezia Giulia. Udine dates back to Roman times when it was a frontier town of the empire but it wasn't until the 13th century that it started to grow in prominence. |
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Sightseeing Udine: a legacy of the Venetian Republic
A brief period of rule by the Austrians in the 14th century was superceded by that of the Venetians who held it until the fall of their republic in 1797. That 400 year period of Venetian rule has left the most significant impact on the city's architecture; the most attractive square in Udine is Piazza della Libertà which has a Venetian style clock tower on one side. Another Venetian-style building on the same piazza is the Loggia del Lionello whose design was based on that of the Doge's Palace in Venice.
From Piazza della Libertà you can walk up the steps behind the clock tower towards another of the city's main sights: the 16th century Castello di Udine which is these days home to various museums and art galleries.
A brief period of rule by the Austrians in the 14th century was superceded by that of the Venetians who held it until the fall of their republic in 1797. That 400 year period of Venetian rule has left the most significant impact on the city's architecture; the most attractive square in Udine is Piazza della Libertà which has a Venetian style clock tower on one side. Another Venetian-style building on the same piazza is the Loggia del Lionello whose design was based on that of the Doge's Palace in Venice.
From Piazza della Libertà you can walk up the steps behind the clock tower towards another of the city's main sights: the 16th century Castello di Udine which is these days home to various museums and art galleries.
Udine's Cathedral and other main sights
Returning to the focal point of Piazza della Libertà, you can turn left on Via Vittorio Veneto and take the short walk to the Duomo: Udine's Cathedral. Originally built in the 13th century, the Romanesque cathedral was given a significant face lift in the 18th century. Among the works of art on display in the Baroque interior are a series of frescoes by Venetian artist Giambattista Tiepolo. Further frescoes by the same artist can be seen at the Gallerie del Tiepolo in the Palazzo Arcivescovile, a 5 minute walk from the cathedral.
Whereas Piazza della Libertà can be considered a central base from which to start your exploration of the city, it's another square that marks its real centre and is its most lively. Piazza Matteotti (or Piazza San Giacomo to some), is an historical market square and the setting for festivals and other events even now in modern times.
Returning to the focal point of Piazza della Libertà, you can turn left on Via Vittorio Veneto and take the short walk to the Duomo: Udine's Cathedral. Originally built in the 13th century, the Romanesque cathedral was given a significant face lift in the 18th century. Among the works of art on display in the Baroque interior are a series of frescoes by Venetian artist Giambattista Tiepolo. Further frescoes by the same artist can be seen at the Gallerie del Tiepolo in the Palazzo Arcivescovile, a 5 minute walk from the cathedral.
Whereas Piazza della Libertà can be considered a central base from which to start your exploration of the city, it's another square that marks its real centre and is its most lively. Piazza Matteotti (or Piazza San Giacomo to some), is an historical market square and the setting for festivals and other events even now in modern times.
Comune di Udine
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Territory: UTI del Friuli Centrale
Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia Population: 97,736 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2023) Size: 56 km² Elevation: 113 metres Top sights: Piazza della Libertà, Udine Castle, Piazza Matteotti Recommended accommodation: Astoria Hotel Italia Close by: Cividale del Friuli, Palmanova, Codroipo, Spilimbergo |
Udine Travel
Udine's train station is situated at the edge of the city, one kilometre from Piazza della Libertà, a 13 minute walk or a 10 minute bus ride taking the number 1 bus. Trains from Udine run to Cividale del Friuli (20 mins), Gorizia (35 mins), Trieste (1 hour) or Venice in 2 hours.
The bus station is located on the opposite side of the road from the train station and from there you can take buses to the archaeological town of Aquileia in 40 minutes, San Daniele del Friuli also in 40 minutes or the seaside town of Grado in an hour.
By car you can reach Trieste in an hour and ten minutes (76 km), or the other major cities of Friuli Venezia Giulia: Gorizia in 44 minutes (56 km) or Pordenone in 57 minutes, a distance of 52 kilometres.
The most convenient airport for Udine is Trieste Airport which, despite its name is closer to the town of Monfalcone than Trieste. The 44 kilometre journey from Udine to the airport by car takes 35 minutes.
The bus station is located on the opposite side of the road from the train station and from there you can take buses to the archaeological town of Aquileia in 40 minutes, San Daniele del Friuli also in 40 minutes or the seaside town of Grado in an hour.
By car you can reach Trieste in an hour and ten minutes (76 km), or the other major cities of Friuli Venezia Giulia: Gorizia in 44 minutes (56 km) or Pordenone in 57 minutes, a distance of 52 kilometres.
The most convenient airport for Udine is Trieste Airport which, despite its name is closer to the town of Monfalcone than Trieste. The 44 kilometre journey from Udine to the airport by car takes 35 minutes.
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Fly to: Trieste Airport - 35 minutes by car (44 km)
By train: Cividale - 20 mins, Gorizia - 35 mins, Trieste - 1 hour |
