Patriarchal Palace

The Patriarchal Palace, known locally as Palazzo Patriarcale, in Udine, Italy, is a magnificent testament to the region's rich historical and architectural heritage. Nestled in the heart of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, this grand edifice has long been a symbol of ecclesiastical power and cultural wealth. With its origins dating back to the 16th century, the palace has undergone numerous transformations, each adding layers of history and artistry to its already impressive structure.

The Historical Roots of the Patriarchal Palace

The central body of the Patriarchal Palace was constructed in the 16th century when the patriarchs of Aquileia sought a new residence within the city of Udine, having found the Udine Castle unsuitable. This early structure laid the foundation for what would become one of Udine's most significant architectural landmarks. The palace we see today is largely the result of extensive renovations and expansions carried out in the early 18th century under the direction of Patriarch Dionisio Delfino. In 1708, Delfino commissioned the renowned architect Domenico Rossi to enhance the palace's grandeur. Rossi's contributions included the addition of a library wing, an oval staircase, and the elevation of the central body, complete with a grand portal. By 1725, Rossi had also completed the north wing and the grand staircase, which features a stunning fresco by Giambattista Tiepolo depicting the Fall of the Rebel Angels, surrounded by images of the Creation of Man and the Fall of Man in grisaille.

The Diocesan Museum and Tiepolo Galleries

Since 1995, the Patriarchal Palace has been home to the Diocesan Museum and the Tiepolo Galleries. This museum not only houses a rich collection of sacred art from various churches within the diocese but also allows visitors to explore the palace's opulent rooms adorned with Tiepolo's famous frescoes. The Diocesan Museum was initially founded in 1963 by Archbishop Giuseppe Zaffonato, with the aim of preserving and showcasing the ecclesiastical cultural heritage of the archdiocese. Originally located in the basement of the city's archbishop's seminary, the museum was transferred to the Patriarchal Palace following the devastating earthquake of 1976. After extensive restoration work, the museum officially opened its doors to the public on April 29, 1995.

Exploring the Collections

The museum's collection comprises approximately 700 works, including Tiepolo's frescoes, which he created at the behest of Patriarch Dionisio Dolfin. The ground floor features a lapidary with various objects, including a pre-Romanesque stone pluteus. Visitors begin their tour at the grand staircase, a masterpiece by Domenico Rossi, with Tiepolo's fresco of the Fall of the Rebel Angels gracing the ceiling.

On the first floor, six rooms house an impressive collection of wooden sculptures, with notable pieces such as the 15th-century polychrome wooden statue of Saint Catherine of Alexandria by an anonymous Friulian sculptor and the polychrome wooden altar of Saint Barbara by Domenico da Tolmezzo, dating from the second half of the 15th century. A spiral staircase, added in 1708 and adorned with a small frescoed dome by Louis Dorigny, leads to the piano nobile, or noble floor, of the building.

The Noble Floor and Its Treasures

The second floor, or noble floor, opens with the spectacular library, commissioned by Patriarch Dionisio Delfino in 1708. This library is considered one of the most beautiful in northern Italy, featuring pictorial decorations that include the Portrait of the Client and the Triumph of Wisdom, works by Niccolò Bambini. The adjacent Blue Room, or Sala della Canopée, boasts refined Renaissance decor with New Testament scenes frescoed by Giovanni da Udine between 1558 and 1560. The Yellow Room houses the numismatic collection of the patriarchs of Aquileia. The tour continues through the Throne Room and the Palatine Chapel, where a Madonna and Child by Palma il Giovane graces the altar. The Red Room, or ecclesiastical tribunal room, features a vaulted ceiling decorated with Tiepolo's frescoes of the Judgment of Solomon and Prophets, completed in 1729. The final and most opulent room is the Galleria degli Ospiti (Guest Gallery), adorned with Tiepolo's frescoes depicting the Stories of the Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, created between 1727 and 1728, including the notable Rachel Hiding the Idols.

The Archiepiscopal Library Delfiniana and Bartoliniana

The second floor also houses the Delfiniana Library, the first public library in Udine, established in 1709 by Patriarch Dionisio Delfino and officially opened in the summer of 1711. Today, it holds a small but rich collection of around 11,000 volumes, including 514 manuscripts and 115 incunabula. The library's literary treasures include works from the collections of Giovanni Delfino, Patriarch of Aquileia, Daniello Marco Dolfin, apostolic nuncio in France, and Giovanni Battista Cornaro, father of Elena Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman to graduate in Italy. The books are housed in 18th-century wooden shelves. In a separate room, the Bartoliniana Library, donated to the episcopal curia of Udine in 1827 by Gregorio Bartolini and his sister-in-law Teresa Dragoni Bartolini, contains around 10,000 volumes, including 40 incunabula. The most significant part of this collection comprises books that belonged to Count Antonio Bartolini, a passionate bibliophile and collector of rare and precious editions.

In conclusion, the Patriarchal Palace in Udine is not just a historical building; it is a treasure trove of art, culture, and history. Its walls tell stories of ecclesiastical power, artistic brilliance, and scholarly pursuits, making it an unmissable destination for anyone visiting the beautiful city of Udine. Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or simply a curious traveler, the Patriarchal Palace offers a rich and rewarding experience that will leave you in awe of its grandeur and significance.