Cividale del Friuli

A UNESCO World Heritage town with remarkable Lombard monuments and a dramatic gorge cut by the Natisone river. Founded by Julius Caesar, it holds some of Italy's finest early medieval art.

Things to do

• Visit the Tempietto Longobardo — This 8th-century oratory is a masterpiece of Lombard art with stunning stucco figures.
• Cross the Devil's Bridge — Walk across the medieval arch bridge for dramatic views into the Natisone gorge below.
• Explore the National Archaeological Museum — Houses the Altar of Ratchis and treasures from the Lombard duchy of Forum Iulii.
• Stroll through the historic center — Piazza Paolo Diacono features elegant porticoes and a lively local market on Saturdays.
• Attend the Mittelfest festival — Held in summer, this Central European arts festival brings theater and music to the streets.

Food to try

• Frico — A crispy cheese and potato pancake, the quintessential Friulian comfort food.
• Gubana — A spiral sweet bread stuffed with nuts, raisins, and grappa, native to the Natisone valleys.
• Cjarsons — Unique sweet-savory ravioli filled with herbs, ricotta, and sometimes chocolate or raisins.
• Slivovitz grappa — A local plum-based grappa reflecting the Slavic cultural influence in the area.

Local customs & good to know

• Lombard heritage is central — Locals take pride in the Lombard legacy; the Tempietto is considered sacred cultural ground.
• Friulian dialect is spoken here — Many residents speak Friulian (Furlan) alongside Italian, so a greeting in Friulian is welcomed.
• Grappa is part of every meal — It is customary to end a meal with a glass of local grappa; refusing can seem impolite.