Piazza della Liberta, the main square of Udine, Italy, as seen June 6, 2024. The square features a Venetian-style Torre dell’Orologio, or clock tower. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
As 2023 came to a close, I learned that the northeastern Italian city of Udine was ranked No. 1 in news publication Il Sole 24 Ore’s yearly quality of life index.
The city of approximately 100,000 people is about an hour from Aviano Air Base, and I was curious about what it has to offer for visitors. After a bit of research, I decided to check it out.
I figured that going during the week would allow me to avoid the crowds, but finding an on-street parking spot took more time than I had anticipated.
My best advice for parking is to be patient, as the streets are crowded regardless of the time of day, or find one of the parking garages that are open during the day.
After a 10-minute walk, I arrived at the Piazza della Liberta, the main square in Udine. For me, the clock tower of the Loggia di San Giovanni, also known as the Porch of Saint John, is an amazing piece of Venetian architecture, with its golden sun in the center of the clock.
Sculptor and architect Bernadino da Morcote was the mastermind behind the clock tower and modeled it after the one in Venice’s St. Mark’s Square.
Surrounding the square are several well-preserved monuments that are worth taking a gander at.
On the left side of the square are the Statue of Peace and the Statue of Justice. Opposite the former on the right side of the square is a fountain dating from 1542.
Along the street side of the square stands a statue of Hercules and Caco, who was a fire-breathing giant, each clad in nothing but a fig leaf.
The Arco Bollani in Udine, Italy, is named after a Venetian soldier. It sits at the bottom of a path that leads up to the castle of Udine. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
After seeing the center of town, I began the steep walk for Udine Castle. The 16th-century fortress is built on a hill in the middle of the city and requires a decent climb, but the view is worth it.
To begin the 10-minute climb, you pass under the Arco Bollani, named after the Venetian soldier Domenico Bellini.
For those seeking indoor places to pass time in Udine, the ground floor of the castle is home to two recently opened museums.
The Museo del Risorgimento highlights the cultural and political significance of the consolidation of fragmented Italian states into a unified country between 1848 and 1871.
The Museo Archeologico displays artifacts unearthed by collectors and scholars from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Castello di Udine was built in the 16th century atop a hill looking out over the city of Udine, which is in northeastern Italy. (Brian Erickson/Stars and Stripes)
However, I preferred to continue walking around the city. My stop at the Chiesa di San Giacomo, however, was limited to the exterior because it was closed to visitors at the time, likely because of a church service.
That was unfortunate because I like to visit old churches and wanted to view the artistry inside.
As the sun began to set, I made my way though the Piazza San Giacomo, which used to be home to the city market, in search of food. The square is surrounded by bars, restaurants and cafes, providing options ranging from full meals to light snacks.
Although I had read about a local specialty called polenta e frico, I opted not to search for a place that serves it and instead chose to eat at Mezza Libbra, a burger joint I visited elsewhere in February
Based on the appealing architecture, with its touch of Venice, and the multitude of places to shop, eat and drink, I found Udine’s high ranking for quality of life warranted.
But luckily for visitors, you don’t have to live in Udine to be charmed by it.
On the QT
Address: Tourist office, Piazza Primo Maggio 7, Udine, Italy
Hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; closed Mondays. Museums of the Castle (Archaeological Museum, Museum of the Risorgimento, Photography Museum, Ancient Art Gallery) Tuesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed on Mondays
Cost: Street parking, 1-3 euros per hour depending on zone. Museum admission: 8 euros, free for 18 and under.
Information: Phone: +39 0432 295972; Online: turismofvg.it
