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THE ROUTE OF THE “CASTELLIERE” OF SEDEGLIANO,
CENTURIATION, HISTORY AND PATH OF FAITH
121
The route extends over a flat area of morainic
origin between the villages of Gradisca and
Sedegliano, part of an amphitheatre with a
total width of about 30 km. The starting point is
at the entrance to the Sedegliano sports field.
The Castelliere (1) is a fortified settlement
dating back to the Ancient Bronze Age; it
is recognizable by the perfectly preserved
embankment, which encloses it. On the same
site there is a museum, which protects the
archaeological excavations. These consist of
the three different phases of construction of
the embankment and burial casts. Four graves
dating back to the Early/Middle Bronze Age can
be observed. These contain five bodies, two
of which overlapping. There is an interesting
grave, the skeleton of which can be traced
back to a person who was predominantly active
on horseback during his life, and therefore
nicknamed the “grave of the mounted warrior”.
Walking along the outer part of the Castelliere,
you cross a strip of land rich in local flora,
consisting of essences planted over time to
celebrate the municipality’s newborns.
After crossing a small bridge, continue along a
small dirt road to cross the paved cycle path,
and then turn left towards Gradisca.
At the end of the cycle path there is an icon in
memory of the soldier Francesco de Campo,
who died in 1917. Continuing along Via della
Chiesa you come to the “Curtain of Gradisca”
(2), remains of an ancient fortification built to
protect peasants against barbarians, with the
Church of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr (3)
surrounded by the 15 icons of the Way of the
Cross, dating back to 1748, repainted by the
artist Aurelio Mariani. In the parish church you
can see the right side portal made by Pilacorte
(1515) and inside the fresco of the Martyrdom
of Saint Stephen by Gian Carlo Bevilacqua
(1839).
Along the moat, continue to the small church
of Saint George (4), built in the 15 th century,
which preserves a precious 16 th century fresco
by Marco Tulissi. Outside you can admire a
spectacular image of Saint Christopher.
Turning right towards the centre of Gradisca,
you can admire the Venier Palace (5), an 18 th
century building.
Resuming the cycle path in the direction of
Sedegliano, you reach the town centre where
the Birarda-Manin Palace (6) is located. Today
this building, once the castle of the medieval
gastald (1256) and the residence of the Manin
noble family (1578), is the current seat of the
town hall.
Facing the square is the Church of Saint
Anthony the Abbot (7), whose present structure
dates back to 1700. Inside there is a copy of
the original altarpiece by the famous painter
Pomponio Amalteo (1553) and a precious high
altar dated 1751-1762.
Retracing the same road, after about 900
metres you will reach the starting point.
Route general data
3.9 km 1h 15’
dirt road
paved road
pet
friendly
Sedegliano
www.comune.sedegliano.ud.it