Owning a rich historic past, Cividale del Friuli is a town where traditions and historical heritages of inestimable value abound. Walking through the characteristic streets of its historic center you arrive at the most representative square, Piazza Duomo, which thanks to its location can be used as a compass to guide you in the browsing of the city.

Standing in all its austere grandeur on the square, we find the Cathedral, devoted to “Santa Maria Assunta” since 796.

The years that led to the construction of the basilica were hindered by many disastrous events such as: fires, earthquakes, epidemics, structural collapses and changes of the headmaster’s of the works. But what they achieved despite the drawbacks is a very nice piece of architecture. The façade paved with bare stone gives it great brightness and a Gothic-Venetian style, emphasized by elements such as the chiaroscuro frame with central medallions, which divide the façade. And while the lower part is massive, in fact here we find the Major Portal and two side doors placed symmetrically, the upper part is lighter and balanced thanks to the eardrum front and the side volutes which give lightness and momentum.

Looking up towards the bell tower, we find a peculiarity that consists in marking the twenty-fourth hour in the position that originally marks 3 pm, the moment when Christ breathed his last breath and died on the cross. It seems to be the only original clock of this type, together with only another one, that we find in Venice.

The large and solemn interior consists of 3 large naves. These allow the gaze to wander free and dwell on the imposing columns, the numerous works of art, and to the elevated High Altar. The altar is preceded by a wide staircase dated 1721 made of white marble and other hybrid materials arrived from Venice. Near the altar you can also see the Pala of Pellegrino II one of the most important masterpieces of Italian goldsmithing.

The ceiling of the central nave consists of barrel vaults, while in the lateral ones the original Gothic arches are maintained. The floor dates back to the sixteenth-century and above the main portal is placed the equestrian monument of Marcantonio di Manzano, a cividalese leader. After that we have the funeral monument of Patriarch Nicolò Donato, famous for having re-established the patriarchal residence in Cividale (from 1494 to 1497). The apse chapel of the Cathedral contains the altar of San Donato Patrono di Cividale. Remarkable is a wooden crucifix of the 13th century with depicted the slender figure of Christ on a broken axis. There are many legends told about this artwork: for some, the majestic sculpture dates back to ancient times and was miraculously found intact after the unleashing of a violent earthquake, for others it is linked to an old superstition according to which it cannot be moved from its original location otherwise it could trigger serious calamities.

Now all you have to do is to discover this beautiful city...