Things to see in Spilimbergo

Spilimbergo is a town of 12,000 people (2020) in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The town is the home of the Mosaic School of Friuli (Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli), which has students from all over the world.

Spilimbergo gained great splendour during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance periods. Both. the emperor Charles V. and the French King Henri III stayed in the town.

Castle: The history of the castle is related to the Lords of Spilimbergo, who were the most powerful in this area and were “ministriales” (officials) of the Patriarch of Aquileja. In 1511 the castle was set to fire during upheavals. Only the frescoes of the Palazzo Dipinto (Painted Palace) could be saved. Today the castle gives the impression of residential buildings partly surrounded by a deep moat and partly rising sheer to the Tagliamento river. On the left hand side of the courtyard are the Palazzo Tadea from 1566, the Palazzo Ciriani with some frescoes of the 16th century and the Palazzo Troilo (16th century). On the right hand side is the Palazzo Dipinto (Painted Palace). The frescoes on the façade represent horses and grooms, theological items and the cardinal virtues. The frescoes are attributed to Andrea Brunello (15th century).

Cathedral: The building was begun in 1284, incorporating parts of the old city walls. The main entrance on the Northern side was sculptured by Zenone da Campione. It is called the Moorish Door and was the entrance of the Lords of Spilimbergo. The main Western façade has seven characteristic rosettes, a feature that is unique in Friuli.