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Udine
At the foothills of the Alps, Udine is a town of Roman origins, of Venetian splendor and the historical and cultural center of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia. A flourishing medieval town, Udine finally surrendered to Venice in 1420 after nine years' resistance and the Venetian presence is felt all over town. Below the 16th C. castello is the Piazza della Libertà, a picturesque square which reflects the Venetian influence of the 15th and 16th centuries. A walk through the città vecchia will lead one past the ancient town walls to frescoed medieval palazzi, to the quaint but lively Mercato Vecchio, and on to the 14th C. Duomo and the 18th C. Oratorio della Purità, both graced with celebrated paintings by the last of the great Venetian artists, Tiepolo. The nearby Palazzo Arcivescovile, now a museum and home to Udine's wide array of medieval Christian art, was also adorned by the Venetian master and is another reason why Udine is also called the Città del Tiepolo. The excursion includes transportation, a tour of the Old Town which includes a guided tour of the Venetian City Hall, and a guided tour of the abundant art of Tiepolo, including visits to the Duomo, the (closed to the general public) Oratorio della Purità, and the Palazzo Arcivescovile (museum). This excursion is typically offered on a Saturday morning.

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