The Celtic Hypogeum is an underground site, entirely dug into the rocky bank along the bank of the Natisone river.
Made accessible to the public since the end of the 19th century by the Bront family, owners of the building above, it has always aroused great interest, especially regarding the interpretation of its function.
It consists of three underground chambers connected to each other. The main one, at the entrance, allows access to the other rooms arranged on a lower level. Along the walls there are traces of niches, seats, delimitation elements that refer to various moments and different ways of using the Hypogeum during its long history.
To date, there is no certainty about the origin of the structure, believed to be very ancient and perhaps born as a cistern.
Some masks, which represent images of human faces, are carved on the walls of the main room and their characters have suggested a link with the funerary structures of the Celtic era.
According to others it was instead used as a prison in Roman and Lombard times.
The most recent interpretation recognizes the layout of a Jewish ritual bath, as would be confirmed by the proximity to the typical aspects and shape of such structures.
But the charm of this environment is still linked to the mystery of its origin and function.

Per info:
Ufficio turistico di Cividale
tel: +39 0432 710460