The historical centre of San Daniele features buildings and churches of considerable historic and artistic value, such as the old Municipal Palace with the underlying Loggia, a building dating back to the 15th century which is now the seat of the old section of the Guarneriana Library.
Following Via Roma it is possible to admire the only house which has remained intact from the old medieval village, the 14th Century House. The building houses a small museum with findings that date back to the First and Second World War.
Not far from there we can find the Church of S. Maria della Fratta with its original construction dating back to approximately 1350. Inside the church we can admire a fresco representing the Falcon Hunt, the remains of a Madonna with Child on a Throne from the 15 th Century, one of the cathedral bells, which dates back to the 1400s and a painting from the 1600s that depicts Christ’s Deposition of the Cross.
Continuing along Via Roma we arrive at Castle Park where a fortified site has probably existed since as far back as the 11th Century. The castle was sacked and set on fire by farmers in February 1511 and then further damaged by an earthquake. It was rebuilt in 1517, but during that century it experienced additional damages.
The site where the castle stood, was sold in 1756 and the Ticozzi-de’ Concina Palace was built atop the castle ruins. In addition to this villa there is also the Church of San Daniele in Castello.
The building dates back to the 1700s, whereas the bell tower, which was built by adapting one of the towers of the old castle, dates back to 1486.
Outside, in the apse area, under the old entrance, it is possible to admire a copy of a Barbarian bas-relief showing the Adoration of the Wise Men.
Going along Via Garibaldi, it is worth stopping to visit the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate. Its Gothic-Venetian façade, built using Istrian stone, shows a rose window representing the Madonna with Child in the centre. Inside the church it is possible to admire a splendid series of frescoes that were painted out at different times between 1497 and 1522 by Martino da Udine, better known as Pellegrino da S. Daniele.
After this wonderful church known as the Sistina del Friuli, you will arrive in Vittorio Emanuele II square, which is overlooked by the Duomo of San Michele Arcangelo. The building, consecrated in 1806 has a façade of Palladian inspiration and was built on a plan by the architect Domenico Rossi. The bronze portals of 1982 are the work of the sculptor Nino Gortan from San Daniele. Inside it is possible to admire: the Baptismal font carved by Carlo da Carona (1510), the Trinity by Antonio de Sacchis called Pordenone (about 1535), its copy made by Domenico Fabris in 1870 and two triptychs placed in the choir resulting from the drawing up of six canvases. The two in the middle show the Virgin’s Wedding and the The Circumcision of Jesus, and are works by Pomponio Amalteo (1549), whereas the four side paintings which show Cain and Abel, the Sacrifice of Isaac, Moses and Aronne and the Gathering of the Manna are works by the painter Vincenzo Lugaro (1625).
Behind the main church you can admire the Bell Tower built from a plan by Giovanni da Udine.
Another church which is worth visiting is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Strada. Built in the 17th Century, it is one of the most important Baroque buildings in this region. Inside, the church keeps an altar piece showing the Madonna with Child painted by Pellegrino da San Daniele in 1506, and considered to be miraculous by the local population.
The Territorrial Museum is located next to the Sanctuary in Via Udine. The building also houses sacred works, some archaeological remains and other objects from private donations.
For information:
Tourist Office (I.A.T.)
Piazza Pellegrino n. 4
Tel. + 39 0432 940765
