Valvasone

Clauiano

Cordovado

Fagagna

Gradisca d'Isonzo

Palmanova

Poffabro

Polcenigo

Sappada

Sesto al Reghena

Strassoldo

Toppo

Valvasone

Venzone

History

Nihil tempore pretiosius 

A few steps to cross what was once a drawbridge and you get the vivid impression of a pact between the splendor long bestowed by the feudal lords, the Valvason and the Cucagna, and contemporary life.

The inhabitants of Valvasone indeed safeguard history and integrate it into their daily lives, rich with activities, almost as if to treasure the suggestion given by the sundial under the arcades of the 15th-century Palazzo Gandini: “Nihil tempore pretiosus”, nothing is more precious than time. The small village is compact, with medieval, Renaissance, and 17th-18th century architectural jewels and a friendly gaze for the visitor, just as Erasmo di Valvason, who lived here, the greatest poet of the 16th-century Friuli, said, defining his fellow citizens as “amica a’ peregrin cortese gente”.


Roman Era

The Origins

The origins of Valvasone can be traced back to the Roman era, at the northern limit of the centuriation of the Concordia countryside, along the road that crossed the fords of the Meduna and Tagliamento and connected with a route leading to Noricum (today Austria).

1206 AD

The Castle

The first evidence of the existence of the Castle dates back to 1206. One must imagine the only masonry building found within many kilometers, surrounded by low wooden houses, serving as a defense and garrison of the very important ford on the Tagliamento. 

12th-13th century

A noble family

In the 12th-13th century, this castle was inhabited by a noble family of feudal lords, related to the Sbroiavacca, who administered on behalf of the patriarchs of Aquileia a vast territory located on both banks of the Tagliamento, roughly corresponding to what is now within the borders of the municipalities of Valvasone, Arzene, San Martino al Tagliamento, and Sedegliano.

1293 AD

The Cucagna Arrive

In 1293, the village became the possession of the Cuccagna family branch from Spilimbergo, which from that moment on, paired its coat of arms with the red lion with that of the di Valvasone, which is a black wolf on a white field (the name Valvasone would derive from the German wolfes + höfe meaning 'wolf's farm').

1409 AD

Pope Gregory XII

In 1409, Pope Gregory XII was welcomed in the manor of the di Valvasone family, returning from the Council of Cividale. 

1484 AD

Consecration of the Cathedral

It was built to venerate the relic of the "Sacra Tovaglia," a miracle that occurred not far away, in Gruaro. The events are said to date back to 1294. During the washing of sacred vestments coming from Valvasone, blood stains appeared on the fabric of a cloth, which were believed to come from a consecrated host forgotten inside it. The building began to rise from 1449 in late Romanesque style.

March 16, 1797 AD

The Battle of the Tagliamento

Also remembered on the walls of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, it was fought between the French armies, under the command of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the Habsburg ones. Napoleon crossed the Tagliamento near Valvasone and defeated the enemy troops, commanded by Archduke Charles of Austria-Teschen.

On the occasion of the Battle, Napoleon stayed in the Castle of Valvasone. 

1523- 1593 AD

Erasmo di Valvasone

Exactly five centuries ago, the poet and writer Erasmo di Valvasone was born, author of "La Caccia" and "L'Angeleida". He is credited with one of the most famous descriptions of Friuli: Siede la patria mia tra il monte, e 'l mare, quasi theatro, c'abbia fatto l'arte non la natura, a' riguardanti appare, e 'l Tagliamento l'interseca, et parte: s'apre un bel piano, ove si possa entrare, tra 'l Merigge et l'occaso, e in questa parte, quanto aperto ne lassa il mar e 'l monte, chiude Liquenza con perpetuo fonte.

March 12, 1782 AD

Pope Pius VI

The village of Valvasone, on March 12, 1782, hosted Pope Pius VI, along the road that was taking him to Vienna