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Udine Castle today

Italy · Still standing

Udine Castle

Castello di Udine

Udine Castle (Castello di Udine) is a large Renaissance-era palace-like building sited on an artificial prehistoric hill in the centre of Udine, Italy. Built on the ruins of an earlier fortress and completed in the mid-16th century, it now houses the city's History and Art Museum.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1567

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1567

What Udine Castle looked like in its prime.

Broad rectangular palace façade of pale, lime-washed stone and plaster set on a grassy artificial hill; a low rusticated ground level with small square windows supports two main storeys above. The central section features a three-arched loggia with paired classical columns, a first-floor balustraded balcony with a large central arched window, rows of rectangular windows with stone surrounds, carved coats of arms and a continuous dentilled cornice topped by a flat roof with a flagstaff. Trees flank the lawned approach.

Its story

The story of Udine Castle.

Udine Castle stands on a hill in the historic centre of Udine, 138 metres above sea level, an artificial mound of prehistoric origin. The present building was raised on the ruins of an earlier fortress and completed in the mid-16th century.

Less a fortress than a large Renaissance palace-like building, it dominates the city's skyline and today houses Udine's History and Art Museum.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1567.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at Udine Castle, including 2 interiors: parliament hall (council chamber) with giovanni da udine paintings, history and art museum galleries (principal rooms). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the lawn and hill slopeGround-floor three-arched loggia (entrance)Piano nobile balcony and central arched windowUpper façade with carved coats of arms and corniceParliament Hall (council chamber) with Giovanni da Udine paintingsHistory and Art Museum galleries (principal rooms)Roof terrace and flagstaffHill summit overlooking Udine

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Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Udine Castle.

Stadio Friuli, ItalyStadiumStadio Friuli3 km away

Questions about Udine Castle

What is the history of Udine Castle?

Udine Castle has a history reaching back to a military building documented on the hill in 983. The present palace was built on the ruins of a fortress destroyed by the 1511 earthquake, with construction beginning in 1517 and lasting more than 50 years. Giovanni da Udine contributed the external decoration and the paintings in the Parliament Hall. The council of the Patria del Friuli met there until 1797.

What is inside Udine Castle?

Inside Udine Castle are the Parliament Hall, decorated with paintings by Giovanni da Udine, and the principal rooms containing the History and Art Museum. The civic museums also include a picture gallery, an archaeological and numismatic museum, the Museum of the Risorgimento, a drawings and prints gallery, and the Friulian Museum of Photography. The palace rooms also host temporary exhibitions.

Why was Udine Castle built, and what was it used for?

Udine Castle was built as a palace on the ruins of an earlier fortress, rather than as a new fortress. Its present use is as the History and Art Museum of the City of Udine, while the Parliament Hall formerly housed the council of the Patria del Friuli. The building therefore changed from a fortified site to a Renaissance palace and museum complex.

Where is Udine Castle?

Udine Castle is in the historic centre of Udine, on a hill 138 metres above sea level. Udine is in Northern Italy, and the castle stands on an artificial prehistoric mound in the centre of the city. Its elevated position gives it a prominent place in Udine's skyline.

When was Udine Castle built?

Udine Castle was built in the 16th century. Construction of the present building began in 1517 and continued for more than 50 years, placing its completion in the mid-16th century. It replaced a fortress destroyed by the 1511 earthquake and reached its recorded prime year in 1567.

What did Udine Castle look like in its prime?

Udine Castle is a Renaissance palace-like building with a broad rectangular façade of pale lime-washed stone and plaster. It has a low rusticated ground floor, two main storeys, a three-arched loggia, a balustraded balcony, rows of rectangular windows, carved coats of arms and a dentilled cornice. The flat roof has a flagstaff, and the building stands on a grassy artificial hill.

Is Udine Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Udine Castle is still standing and intact. The present building replaced an earlier fortress that was destroyed by the 1511 earthquake, but the palace itself survives as a large Renaissance building. It now contains the city's History and Art Museum and civic museum collections.

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