Cividale del Friuli - Longobards in Italy. Places of the Power (568-774 A.D.)
Cividale del Friuli, Italy
12.09.2021
The ancient town of Cividale del Friuli, nestled in the picturesque Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, stands as a profound testament to the early medieval history of Europe. This captivating site forms a pivotal component of the UNESCO World Heritage serial property "Longobards in Italy. Places of Power (568-774 A.D.)", recognized for its extraordinary collection of architectural and artistic remains that vividly illustrate the profound impact of the Lombards on the Italian peninsula.
A Longobard Capital
The history of Cividale del Friuli is inextricably linked with the arrival of the Lombards (Longobards) in Italy in 568 A.D. under their king, Alboin. They established the first and most important of their duchies here, the Duchy of Friuli, making Cividale (then known as Forum Iulii) its capital. The city's strategic location at the foot of the Julian Alps made it a crucial gateway and a center of power for nearly two centuries. It was here that Duke Gisulf I, nephew of Alboin, ruled, laying the foundations for a rich cultural and artistic flourishing that left an indelible mark on the landscape.
Architectural Gems
Among the most compelling structures in Cividale del Friuli is the Tempietto Longobardo (Longobard Temple), or Oratorio di Santa Maria in Valle. This diminutive but exquisitely preserved building is an unparalleled example of early medieval architecture and sculpture. Its stucco decorations and frescoes are among the finest surviving expressions of Lombard art, showcasing a unique blend of classical, Byzantine, and Germanic influences. The intricate relief work and figures within the Tempietto offer a rare glimpse into the artistic sophistication of the Lombard period, making it a masterpiece of high historical and artistic value.
Beyond the Tempietto, the city boasts other significant sites. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, though largely rebuilt over the centuries, stands on the site of earlier ecclesiastical structures that served as the spiritual heart of the Longobard duchy. Within the Diocesan Museum (Museo Cristiano e Tesoro del Duomo), visitors can marvel at further treasures, including the magnificent Altare di Ratchis and the Battistero di Callisto, both exemplary works of Lombard sculpture. The Altare di Ratchis, commissioned by Duke Ratchis in the 8th century, is particularly notable for its deeply carved reliefs depicting Christ, the Virgin Mary, and angels, embodying the distinctive sculptural style of the era. The octagonal Battistero di Callisto likewise features important sculptural elements, reflecting the artistic currents of the Lombard court.
Cividale del Friuli not only preserves tangible remnants of the Lombard civilization but also tells a compelling story of cultural encounter and artistic innovation that shaped early medieval Europe. Its inclusion on the UNESCO list underscores its irreplaceable role in understanding this pivotal period of history.
Weiterführende Links
The Longobards in Italy, Places of Power, 568 - 774 A.D. comprises seven groups of important buildings (including fortresses, churches, and monasteries) throughout the Italian Peninsula. They testify to the high achievement of the Lombards, who migrated from northern Europe and developed their own specific culture in Italy where they ruled over vast territories in the 6th to 8th centuries. The Lombards synthesis of architectural styles marked the transition from Antiquity to the European Middle Ages, drawing on the heritage of Ancient Rome, Christian spirituality, Byzantine influence and Germanic northern Europe. The serial property testifies to the Lombards' major role in the spiritual and cultural development of Medieval European Christianity, notably by bolstering the monastic movement.
Cividale del Friuli (Friulian: Cividât, locally Zividât; German: Östrich; Slovene: Čedad) is a town and comune (municipality) in the Regional decentralization entity of Udine, part of the North-Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The town lies 135 metres (443 ft) above sea-level in the foothills of the eastern Alps, 15 kilometres (9 mi) by rail from the city of Udine and close to the Slovenian border. It is situated on the river Natisone, which forms a picturesque ravine here. Formerly an important regional power, it is today a quiet, small town that attracts tourists thanks to its medieval center.
Longobards in Italy: Places of Power (568–774 A.D.) (Italian: Longobardi in Italia: i luoghi del potere) is seven groups of historic buildings that reflect the achievements of the Germanic tribe of the Lombards (also referred to as Longobards), who settled in Italy during the sixth century and established a Lombard Kingdom which ended in 774 A.D.
The groups comprise monasteries, church buildings, and fortresses and became UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2011 as they testify "to the Lombards' major role in the spiritual and cultural development of Medieval European Christianity".
