Cividale del Friuli

Italy

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Article History

Cividale del Friuli, town, Friuli–Venezia Giulia regione, northeastern Italy, lying on the Natisone River just northeast of Udine.

Founded in Roman times as Forum Julii, perhaps by Julius Caesar, it gave its name to, and was the capital of, Friuli, the first Lombard duchy formed in Italy. From 730 to 1238 it was the residence of the patriarchs of Aquileia. It fell to Venice with the rest of Friuli in 1419–20. Eighth-century poet Paul the Deacon and 19th-century actress Adelaide Ristori were born there.

Cividale del Friuli has some interesting relics from the 8th century, including the octagonal baptistery, the chapel (Tempietto) of the nunnery of Santa Maria in Valle, and the altar of the church of San Martino. Landmarks include the cathedral (rebuilt 1458 and 1502), the Devil’s Bridge (1442), the national archaeological museum with Gothic and Lombard antiquities, and several medieval churches and palaces. Cividale del Friuli is a commercial centre with light manufactures and also benefits from tourism. Pop. (2000) 11,378.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.