Udine, Regional capital city in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy
Udine is a regional capital in Friuli-Venezia Giulia between the Adriatic plain and the foothills of the Alps. The historic center sits around a hill topped by a castle, while newer districts spread into the flat surroundings.
In 983 Emperor Otto II granted the castle to the Patriarchs of Aquileia, who ruled here for centuries. From 1420 the city belonged to the Venetian Republic and kept this connection until the late 18th century.
The main square Piazza della Libertà shows Venetian architecture with arcades and a clock tower, where locals gather for coffee throughout the day. In the surrounding streets many residents speak Friulian, a distinct Romance language you can hear in conversations and see on signs.
The railway station sits southeast of the center and connects travelers to Venice, Trieste and Vienna through several daily train services. The historic quarter can be explored on foot, and most points of interest lie close to each other.
The castle holds one of Europe's oldest parliament halls from the 16th century, where Venetian representatives once met. The city is nicknamed "città del Tiepolo" because painter Giambattista Tiepolo worked here and left major frescoes in several buildings.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
