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Italy off the beaten path: the ancient hamlet of Strassoldo

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Strassoldo
Strassoldo

The village of Strassoldo, located in the province of Udine, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, is today one of the most fascinating examples of a perfectly preserved medieval village. We do not know exactly when its foundation dates back, but its name appears for the first time in some documents from the end of 1100.

Mill, Strassoldo
Mill, Strassoldo

Over a thousand years ago, the prestigious family of the Strassoldo counts decided to build an imposing castle along the ancient Via Iulia Augusta, in a strategic position. Originally, the fortress had two watchtowers which were located at two different levels. Later on, when the castle was heavily damaged by enemy attacks, the Strassoldo family dispersed for a certain period of time.

After returning to their land, the counts decided to start an impressive renovation work and divided the original fortress into two separate castles, each built around one of the towers that had once characterized the manor. This is how the Castello di Sopra (Upper Castle) and the Castello di Sotto (Lower Castle) were born. And it is around these two fortifications, entrusted to two different branches of the family and transformed over time into stately homes, that a thriving inhabited centre gradually arose.

The entire historic centre of the medieval village winds around the two towers and the respective castles that were built there. 

The Castello di Sopra is accessed by crossing the great arch of the Porta Cistigna: here we are facing the old village, where there are stone buildings of medieval origin, which were once the houses of the craftsmen and the structures used for agricultural use.

Porta Cistigna, Strassoldo
Porta Cistigna, Strassoldo

Coretto arch, Strassoldo
Coretto arch, Strassoldo


Castello di Sopra, Strassoldo
Castello di Sopra, Strassoldo

Church of San Nicolò, Strassoldo
Church of San Nicolò, Strassoldo


Further on is the Coretto arch that connects the main palace of the castle with the church of San Nicolò. The main body of the castle rests on the Ottonian tower, today only 12 meters high because it was reduced by two floors after the mid-19th century, due to a strong earthquake that undermined its stability.

The Castello di Sotto is accessed through the Porta Cisis, a high turreted door that opens onto the outermost walls and a long avenue overlooked by numerous buildings dating back to the 16th century. 

Despite its 18th century appearance, the building is made up of various parts dating back to the medieval period, among which the remains of the keep, the wooden ceilings and the panels of the halls, painted in tempera (16th century) stand out.

Porta Cisis, Strassoldo
Porta Cisis, Strassoldo

Castello di Sotto, Strassoldo
Castello di Sotto, Strassoldo



Location: 33052 Strassoldo, Province of Udine, Italy

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