Spilimbergo

Spilimbergo, a medieval town in Italy’s Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, is known for its art traditions and medieval buildings that remain intact. The Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli, opened in 1922, teaches methods for creating mosaics to students from many countries. The Duomo di Santa Maria Maggiore, built starting in 1284, has stonework from the Romanesque and Gothic periods and paintings of Bible stories on its walls. The Castello di Spilimbergo includes Renaissance palaces with detailed wall art. Visitors walk under covered walkways on main streets, see mosaics on walls and floors, and join events like the August Macia festival with historical costumes. The town is surrounded by the Tagliamento River and Alpine foothills.

Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli (Mosaic School of Friuli)

The Scuola Mosaicisti del Friuli opened in 1922 and remains important to Spilimbergo’s culture. Students learn methods from Roman and Byzantine times, creating mosaics that decorate sites like Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre and New York’s Ground Zero station. On weekdays, you can watch artists cut colored stones and glass with small hammers called martelline. Guided tours on Saturdays and Sundays explain the school’s history and techniques; book these in advance at the tourist office. Entry costs 2 euros, letting you see student works and professional pieces made for clients.

Spilimbergo Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Maggiore)

Work on the Duomo di Santa Maria Maggiore started in 1284 under Count Walterpertoldo II, incorporating elements of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Seven circular windows on the front reference symbols from the Book of Revelation. Inside, 14th-century paintings in the curved altar areas show stories from the Bible. The Rosary Chapel holds a carved wooden altar from the 1500s. Look for painted organ doors by Renaissance artist Il Pordenone and a crypt below the main floor. The bell tower next to the cathedral gives views of farmlands and the Tagliamento River.

Castello di Spilimbergo (Spilimbergo Castle)

First recorded in 1120, the Castello di Spilimbergo was rebuilt after fires and conflicts in 1511. The Palazzo Dipinto section displays 16th-century wall paintings of myths and portraits of the Spengenberg family. Stone carvings by Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte decorate courtyards and balconies. Though much of the original walls and water defenses are gone, the site helps visitors understand the town’s medieval power struggles. The castle now holds art displays and festivals in its open spaces.

Frescoed palaces and medieval architecture

Buildings from the 1300s to 1500s in Spilimbergo have many painted walls. The Palazzo della Magnifica Thadea near the cathedral has detailed plaster designs and murals. The Palazzo Ercole shows images of Hercules’ tasks painted in 1519. The Western Tower on Corso Roma displays a lion symbol from Venice’s rule after 1420. Covered walkways on Via Mazzini lead to churches like San Giovanni Battista, with ceiling art from the 1700s. These buildings reflect Spilimbergo’s past as a center for trade and art.

Macia Festival and cultural events

During August’s Macia Festival, Spilimbergo recreates its 16th-century atmosphere with costume parades, craft stalls, and neighborhood competitions. Theatrical performances take place in castle courtyards, and temporary food stands serve Friulian dishes like frico cheese crisps. July brings Folkest, with traditional music from Europe, while summer photography exhibits fill public spaces. In fall, the Rivivono Antichi Sapori event highlights local foods like cured ham and Montasio cheese.

Town layout and key landmarks

Spilimbergo’s medieval center follows Corso Roma, a street with covered walkways linking Piazza Garibaldi to the Eastern Tower. Piazza del Duomo, near the cathedral, has parking spaces but keeps its old character with stone buildings. Via Valbruna, north of the castle, has houses from the late Middle Ages with arched doors and stone yards. The Loggia building, now the town hall, shows Venetian design influences. Metal signs around town share facts about less obvious sites like the Palazzo Daziario, once used for collecting taxes.

Ancona Church and Tagliamento River views

The small Ancona Church near the town center has clear views of the Tagliamento River. Its plain design differs from the cathedral, providing a calm spot to sit. From here, you can see the Julian Alps on cloudless days. A 10-minute walk leads to riverside paths used for walking or biking. The Tagliamento’s changing water levels through the year affect the landscape around Spilimbergo.

Weekly open-air market

Every Saturday, Spilimbergo’s streets host vendors selling fruits, local cheeses, and household items. The market spreads from Piazza Garibaldi into side streets, with fish and bread sellers near the Loggia. It’s smaller than markets in Udine or Pordenone but offers a chance to see daily shopping habits. Seasonal products like porcini mushrooms in October or fresh strawberries in June draw crowds. Arrive before 9 AM to avoid busy times and find the best items.

Nearby towns and day trips

Spilimbergo works well as a starting point to visit other areas. Valvasone, 15 minutes south by car, has a medieval mill and intact town gates. San Vito al Tagliamento, 30 minutes away, includes Renaissance buildings and a bell tower from the 1100s. Udine, 35 minutes east, has Venetian-style squares and a hilltop castle with wide views. Coastal towns like Caorle, with brightly painted houses, take 90 minutes to reach by car. Buses run to Pordenone and Udine, but renting a car makes trips easier.

Practical visitor information

Spilimbergo’s tourist office in Piazza del Duomo is open Tuesday to Sunday (10 AM–1 PM, 3–6 PM). They give out maps and help book tours, including the mosaic school visits. The Scuola Mosaicisti at Via Corridoni 6 operates Monday to Friday (8–11:30 AM, 1–3:30 PM). Park near the cathedral or along Corso Roma, but arrive early during festivals. Wear sturdy shoes for walking on uneven stone streets, especially in the castle area.