The
castle of Spilimbergo was built to watch over one of the main fords of the Tagliamento, by the German Spengenberg family, arrived in Friuli around the 11th century. The counts of Spilimbergo, after whom the town is named, soon became very rich and powerful. They had important properties but, soon after that, their house came to an end and the surname survived in the female line only.
Armed battles took place in the 13th and 14th centuries; fires and devastations caused significant damage several times.
Magnificent buildings overlook the
castle courtyard in a harmonious combination of styles, from Romanesque to Gothic, to the Venetian of the Renaissance; among them the fifteenth-century Palazzo Dipinto (Painted Palace) featuring beautiful Gothic and Renaissance triple lancet windows and spectacular frescoes on the façade attributed to Andrea Bellunello, who worked in Spilimbergo between 1469 and 1475.
Next to the castle, the fifteenth-century building that features elegant decorations by
Giovanni da Udine.
Gothic and Renaissance balconies frame
early frescoes by Pordenone on the façade of the
"Palazzo Dipinto" (Painted Palace).
At present the castle of
Spilimbergo is partly a private property (there is a restaurant as well) and partly of the Municipality. Of the ancient fortified borough one can still see two towers and short stretches of walls.
Castle of Spilimbergo
Piazza Castello
33097 Spilimbergo (PN)
www.prospilimbergo.org
www.consorziocastelli.it
Activities
In August Spilimbergo goes back in time to the 16th century with the evocative
Historical Re-enactment of the Macia (Medieval unit of measurement).
A curious fact
The castle of Spilimbergo gave accommodation to sovereigns among whom, in 1532, Emperor Charles V and high prelates passing through Friuli.
Information and visits
In the charming castle courtyard the "Palazzo Dipinto" (Painted Palace) stands out: it features frescoes depicting horses, ladies and pages.
The castle cannot be visited inside.
