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The Castle
The elevated position where the castle now stands overlooks the
ancient route leading beyond the Alps and
so favoured, from ea times, the construction of a defensive post.
The present-day castle, built on the site of the south tower, dates
from the middle of the 14th century, with some later modifications.
Between the 13th and 14th centuries the castle belonged successively
to the Legio, the Savorgnan della Bandiera and finally in 1466 to
the Montegnacco families. The latter built the small Chapel of the
Assumption which was enlarged at the beginning of the 18th century.
The castle now consists of two square towers, once crowned by battlements,
on either side of the central body to which additions have been
made at a later date. It is well preserved including even the outer
walls with the remains of the stones that supported the patrol trench.
The oldest part, probably dating from the late medieval, is the
foundation of the south tower.
One can also see some inscribed stone slabs, of Roman origin, brought
from Aquileia during the 16th century, as was the fashion at that
time.
According to legend there are forty steps leading to an underground
passage connecting the castle to that of Tricesimo which belonged
to the Montegnacco family for over a century.
The castle is privately owned but is opened to the public for functions
and concerts. Visitors are welcome but only by prior arrangement.
 Villa
Gallici-Deciani
Built at the end of the 17th century by Giovanfrancesco Gallici,
this imposing Venetian villa in Montegnacco was, for two hundred
years, the country home of a rich family that originally came from
Bergamo. The Gallici moved to Friuli in the second half the 17th
century and were initially involved in the fabric trade. They then
set up a printing office which met with such great success that
it was chosen to publish the edicts and laws of the Udine judiciary.
An inheritance from the Moretti-Pisoni family, to whom they were
related, enabled the Gallici to start building the Villa of Montegnacco
and embellish the house in Via Savorgnan in Udine.
A gently winding road leads up to the wrought iron gate bearing
the family crest. The facade looks down upon the open countryside
which seems to be guarded by two large statues marking the way to
the chapel of St. Justus. The three-mullioned window with ornamented
stone, the raised central tympanum, the vertical bars heightening
and streamlining the building increase the number of vertical lines
and render the whole complex harmonious.
The interior of the main building was recently renovated by the
owners.
Stone steps, divided into two flights with balustrades and statues,
and adorned with stucco work lead into the central hall, which is
used for ceremonies and functions.
Borghi (Outlying Districts)
The most quaint is undoubtedly Borgo Miotti in Conoglano. It is
so named after the family that lived there for centuries and contributed
to the building of this complex of houses of great historical and
artistic interest. Wooden access way balconies run along the outer
walls of the houses, the numerous windows are of different styles,
the entrances are wide enough to allow the passage of wagons and
a well is at the centre of the courtyard. Situated at the foot of
a hill where the 14th century chapel of Saints Philip and James
stood this complex had two carriage gateways that could be closed
by heavy doors. In fact, a rural microcosm consisting of about a
dozen homes, stables, hay barns and with the court yards opening
onto the valley of the Soima and Cormor rivers.
Some houses have been decorated with sacred frescoes, which, indeed,
are common in the district, bearing testimony to the deeply held
religious beliefs of the peasants who lived and worked here.
From the hills of Conoglano, on which are perched the districts
of Menut, Baiutti and Fari, you can get an incredible view of the
unspoilt arable land stretching as far as Ara.
(continua...)
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