Veneto & Friuli - the 5 Senses 2026-27

Aquileia: The Ruins and the Basilica
Aquileia, with its vast archaeological area and Patriarchal Basilica, is a precious treasure trove of art and history.
Located in Friuli Venezia Giulia, in the province of Udine, it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. Aquileia was once one of the largest and wealthiest cities of the Roman Empire in the Mediterranean, the seat of a Patriarchate that lasted until 1751, and a driving force for the spread of Christianity throughout Central Europe during the Middle Ages.
Although archaeological excavations have not yet fully uncovered its remains, those that have been brought to light represent some of the best-preserved evidence of ancient Roman grandeur. Among Aquileia’s greatest treasures, the Patriarchal Basilica—dating back to around the year 1000—stands out as an unparalleled example of religious architecture, thanks to its magnificent 4th-century mosaics.

Cividale del Friuli: A Mysterious Village Rich in Legends
A village suspended between legend, history, and culture, Cividale del Friuli was the first Lombard duchy in Italy and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. With around 11,000 inhabitants, it is a true gem of Friuli Venezia Giulia, preserving centuries-old traditions waiting to be discovered.
Founded by Julius Caesar in the 2nd century BC under the name Forum Iulii—from which the entire Friuli region takes its name—Cividale has even more ancient origins, with archaeological evidence dating back to the Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Iron Age.
The city flourished under Roman rule, and in 568 AD the Lombards arrived, making it the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy. Later, it became the residence of the Patriarchs of Aquileia and eventually came under the rule of the Republic of Venice. In 1866, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.
Today, visiting Cividale del Friuli is like embarking on a journey through invaluable treasures of great beauty. The town is the leading site of the UNESCO itinerary “The Lombards in Italy. Places of Power (568–774 AD),” which highlights some of the most remarkable landmarks of Lombard heritage.
The historic center can be entirely explored on foot. In the main square stands the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in 1457 and rebuilt in Renaissance style in 1502 after its collapse. Inside, visitors can admire the silver altarpiece by Pellegrino II, a true masterpiece of medieval Italian goldsmithing, as well as paintings by Palma il Giovane.
From the Cathedral, one can access the Christian Museum, which houses important examples of Lombard art, including the Altar of Ratchis—an 8th-century stone altar decorated with bas-reliefs—and the Baptistery of Callistus from the same period.
Also overlooking the square is the Palazzo dei Provveditori Veneti, built between 1565 and 1605 following a design inspired by Palladio. It now houses the National Archaeological Museum, which preserves artifacts documenting the city’s successive dominations, from Roman to Lombard and Byzantine.
Just a short walk away lies the Celtic Hypogeum, a series of underground chambers carved into the rock along the banks of the Natisone River. Originally of pre-Roman origin, these spaces were later used as prisons.
Another must-see is the Longobard Temple, located within the Oratory of Santa Maria in Valle—the most important architectural testimony of the Lombard period. Built in the mid-8th century, it features an ornate arch with intricate openwork carvings and statues of saints and martyrs. Traces of frescoes from the 11th to the 14th century can still be seen on its walls and ceilings.
The village is also rich in noble residences and religious buildings, including the Church of San Francesco, now deconsecrated and used for exhibitions and cultural events.
Cividale is steeped in charm and mystery, with many places linked to ancient legends. The symbol of the town is the Devil’s Bridge, spanning the Natisone River at a height of 22.5 meters. Built starting in 1442, it owes its name to a fascinating legend: it is said that the townspeople asked the Devil for help in its construction. In return, he demanded the soul of the first person to cross it. After completing the bridge in a single night, the clever locals tricked him by sending an animal across instead. Whether legend or not, this story adds to the enduring allure of the bridge.

Padua and Its 14th-Century Fresco Cycle
Padua and its remarkable 14th-century fresco cycle have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The designation includes not only the famous Scrovegni Chapel—whose renown is largely due to Giotto—but also several other extraordinary sites: the Palazzo della Ragione with its vast and mysterious fresco cycle, the Basilica of Saint Anthony, the Cathedral Baptistery, the Church of Saints Philip and James at the Eremitani, the Carraresi Palace Chapel, and the Oratories of Saint George and Saint Michael, featuring works by Guariento, Giusto de’ Menabuoi, Luca Belludi, Altichiero da Zevio, and Jacopo Avanzi.
These eight sites represent an immense artistic heritage where history, culture, and even science intertwine. In the 14th century, Padua became a key center in the renewal of European pictorial language, laying the foundations of Western art as we know it today.
This artistic heritage introduced a completely new way of representing narrative in painting, with innovative spatial perspectives influenced by advances in the science of optics and a new ability to depict human figures in all their complexity, including emotions and inner life.
Padua is one of the few cities in the world to host two UNESCO sites within its city walls, as the Botanical Garden—adjacent to the Basilica of Saint Anthony—is also a World Heritage Site.
The Scrovegni Chapel, the flagship monument of this recognition, is Giotto’s best-preserved fresco cycle and his undisputed masterpiece. Scenes from the lives of Christ and the Virgin, along with prophets and allegories, unfold within geometric frames beneath the deep blue, starry vault, while allegorical figures of virtues and vices guide visitors toward the majestic vision of the Last Judgment.