Cividale del Friuli, lying 70 km from the resort of Lignano on the Adriatic coast of Italy, was founded between 56 and 50 BCE on the initiative of Julius Caesar. Then it was called Forum Lulii - from him was the modern name of the entire region of Friuli. And today we can see the ruins of the walls, which were built by the ancient Romans.

In the 5th century BC, after the destruction of the Huns city Lulium Karnikum and Aquileia, the population has grown Lulii Forum, and the city became an important strategic positions and bishoprics. In the second half of the 6th century, it became the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy - Duchy of Friuli. And then the city got its present name - Chivitas, which means "the best of its kind."

Busted by the Avars in 610, the year Cividale remained an important military and political center, even during the time of the Venetian Republic, and from the 12th century it became a free city and a busy shopping center - the largest in the region of Friuli. In 1353, the year the Emperor Charles IV opened a university. At the end of the 18th century, the peace treaty between Napoleon and Austria Cividale moved to the Habsburgs, and only in 1866 was attached to Italy.

Traces of all these numerous historical events, especially during the reign of the Lombards, preserved in the city and Cividale shows them with pride. If you start your walk around the city with the Cathedral Square, you can immediately find yourself at the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, built in the 15-18 th centuries in Venetian Gothic style. Inside it is kept a silver image zaaltarny Pellegrino II - one of the masterpieces of Italian medieval jewelry.

Near the cathedral is Christian Museum, which among other exhibits, you can see the Baptistery of Callisto and the altar Ratchisa, outstanding works of art of the Lombards. Baptistery is the name of the patriarch Callisto - it is an octagonal font with columns that support graceful arches decorated with floral ornaments. Ratchisa Altar dedicated to the Lombard king of the same name - is an ornate rectangular stone.

Piazza Duomo is the Palazzo dei Provveditori, designed by the great Palladio - today it houses the National Archaeological Museum of Cividale del Friuli, where the artifacts are stored times of the Lombards and important medieval manuscripts. And for an old town area stretches Lombards: Lombards front of the Temple, built in the 8th century, a beautiful view of the river Natizone. In the temple, you can still see the priceless works of art. It is interesting and the building of the temple - its original purpose, the original structure and the names of the architects are still unknown. Particularly attracted the attention of stucco on the main portal and frescoes.

Another mystery Cividale Celtic catacombs are located not far from the Temple of Lombards. They consist of several underground rooms carved into the rock using primitive tools. A steep staircase leads to the central hall, which runs three corridors. The walls smashed numerous niches and bench, but the main thing that attracts attention - Three rough rough mask. Their purpose is shrouded in mystery.

And, of course, speaking of Cividale, not to mention the most intriguing legend of the city - the so-called Devil's bridge over the river Natizone. Legend has it that this huge bridge built the devil in exchange for the soul of the first transmitted on it. I help him in this his mother, who brought in his apron and threw a large rock in the middle of the river, just between the spans of the bridge. However, the inhabitants of Cividale proved more cunning devil and first let the dog on the bridge - so they meet the conditions and the devil had to settle for the soul of the animal.