The castle of Fagagna is mentioned for the first time in a diploma dated June 11, 983, in which Emperor Otto II of Saxony confirmed its ownership to the Church of Aquileia.

The fortress stood on the hill overlooking the village. It played an important role in the events of the Patriarchal State, especially during the 13th and 14th centuries. 

During the 15th century, it was gradually abandoned by the inhabitants until it was set on fire in 1511 during the peasant revolt of "Giovedì Grasso" and the earthquake that occurred a few days later. The oldest part of the ruins visible today dates back at least to the 12th century, with additions and modifications up to the late 15th century. In the lower part of the plateau, the castle village developed where the Palazzo della comunità is located, which was built within the castle walls between 1490 and 1505. It is a typical example of a Venetian public building of the time.

Above the loggia (a single large hall), the council of 12 met, which governed the community of Fagagna established towards the end of the 14th century. 

At that time, and until 1797, the council had civil and criminal jurisdiction over the territories and inhabitants of 19 villages located all around.

(Photo Giampiero Pizzocaro for Borghiclic)

Once the entire area was covered by lush forests, particularly beech trees, which in Latin were called “fagus.” The name of the village indeed derives from “fagus,” then “Faganeu” and finally “Fagagna,” a name that thus holds a reference to the beauty of the surrounding nature.

The remains of the castle are located on the hill that overlooks the town of Fagagna to the north. The first historical records date back to the 10th century, to the donation on June 11, 983, by Otto II of Saxony to Patriarch Rodoaldo; however, some scholars do not exclude the existence of a Roman and early medieval fortified post that controlled the important road from Concordia to Noricum, which connected to the centers beyond the Alps.

Castello di Fagagna

The oldest part of the ruins visible today dates back at least to the 12th century, with additions of constructions and modifications until the late 15th century. It is presumed that the small church of San Michele Arcangelo, which served as a castle oratory, has Lombard origins.

Until the advent of the Venetian Republic in 1420, the castle was under direct patriarchal domain, governed by a steward who was assisted by the noble habitatores, loyal to the Church of Aquileia, who resided within the castle enclosures and belonged to different families.

In 1230 Siurido di Manzano was the feudal lord of Fagagna. Due to its importance, the fortification was often besieged, involved in struggles against local feudal lords or even against “illustrious” enemies like Ezzelino da Romano, who captured it through the betrayal of two habitatores in 1250, the Dukes of Austria Rudolf and Frederick, and King Sigismund of Hungary, who occupied it until 1254 when Patriarch Gregorio di Montelongo appointed Asquino di Varmo as feudal lord.

In the 1300s, the “di Fagagna” returned, who for much of the century faced sieges and occupations by the Count of Gorizia. Between 1411-19, it suffered the devastations of the Hungarian troops of King Sigismund.

Under the rule of the Serenissima, the slow decline began, and in the 17th century, the final abandonment by the last inhabitants occurred.

Described in ruins already shortly after the mid-16th century by Girolamo di Porcia, of the vast complex, some sections of the walls remain, the ruins of a tower, the castle church, the tall bell tower built into the main tower, and a small building with medieval parts used as a restaurant.

Info sourced from www.archeocarta.fvg.it