The excavations conducted in the 1980s beneath a shelter located on a terrace of the Natisone have uncovered lithic material dating back to 9000 BC and have allowed for the hypothesis of an earlier habitation, possibly dating from the Middle Paleolithic (photo Fabrice Gallina)
Julius Caesar founds Cividale, with the name of Forum Iulii. Due to its military importance, it is elevated to the dignity of municipium. Thus Paul the Deacon: «Forum Iulii ita dictum, quod Iulius Caesar negotiationis forum ibi statuerat»
Gothic occupation
Cividale is occupied by the Lombards, led by King Alboin, who establishes the first of the 35 Italian duchies there, headed by his nephew Gisulf
The city is occupied by the Franks of Charlemagne and its name changed to Civitas Austriae
Berengario, born in Cividale, is the marquis of Friuli, then king of Italy (888) and emperor (915)
The temporal rule of the Patriarch of Aquileia begins. Cividale is the seat of the Patriarchate (until 1238)
Act of dedication of Cividale to the Republic of Venice
Cividale is occupied by the French after their victory over the Venetians and assigned to the "Dipartimento di Passariano" (1805). On May 20, a "Comitato di salute pubblica" was established in Cividale to govern the city, and all symbols of Venetian occupation were eliminated.
Cividale is reunited with the Kingdom of Italy
During the First World War, Cividale hosted the command of the II Army and was damaged by aerial bombings; occupied by the Austro-Germans following the defeat of Caporetto, the city was reconquered by the Italians at the end of October 1918 after the victory on the Piave. In the following years, it was the birthplace of illustrious personalities given to Fascism. During the Second World War (1943), the city was annexed along with all of Friuli to the Third Reich, and Cossack and Kalmyk troops allied with the Germans were also stationed here. (from wikipedia)