Lombard Temple

Cividale del Friuli, Italy

The small church of Oratorio di Santa Maria in Valle (also known as Lombard Temple), next to the Natisone river, is a notable example of High Middle Ages art sometimes attributed to the 8th century, but probably later. Included in the old Lombard quarter, it was probably used as Palatine Chapel by the Lombard dukes and king's functionaries. The fine decorations, statues and stuccoes (11th or 12th century) housed in the interior, show a strong Byzantine influence.

Cividale del Friuli, the capital of the first Lombard duchy in Italy has been present in the UNESCO World Heritage Site list since 2011.Cividale del Friuli, thanks to the Lombard Temple, one of the most representative symbols of the Lombard power in Italy, has received this important award being included, together with other Italian cities that preserve prestigious Lombard evidence.

Address

Via Monastero Maggiore 36, Cividale del Friuli, Italy

See all sites in Cividale del Friuli

Details

Founded: 8th century
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

www.tempiettolongobardo.it
whc.unesco.org

Rating

4.5/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Cividale del Friuli Cathedral (0,1 km)
National Archaeological Museum (0,1 km)

Udine Castle (15,5 km)
Trieste Cathedral (56,2 km)
San Giusto Castle (56,2 km)
Miramare Castle (48,6 km)
Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (36,4 km)
Udine Cathedral (15,5 km)
Roman Amphitheatre (56 km)
Villa Manin (36,3 km)
Gorizia Castle (22,4 km)

User Reviews

Marko Cvetkovic (7 months ago)
A bit disapointed as there is no english translation and actually nothing special to see. The walls and rooms have no special value, the chappel in bizantyne-christian style is intersting but still nothing special. No old items presented there, these can be found in archeology museum that is a much better choise for visit.

Alastair French (2 years ago)
Unfortunately the temple is currently being renovated and there is very little to see - the films were very interesting and I imagine it will be great when it is finished

Giulia Maffucci (3 years ago)
With 4€ you can visit the tempietto longobardo inside the monastery. Take your time to visit this small jewel, mostly if you love ancient art. There are descriptions in Italian and English about the life of the nuns and about the temple and its frescoes.

Rudolf Schamberger (3 years ago)
At the moment there isn’t a lot to see as they are renovating. Besides the text on the boards are mainly Italian only. A bit disappointing.

Clint D'Souza (6 years ago)
Very ancient chapel in Cividale. Well worth a visit.

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Photo from Flickr, copyright Mark1792

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