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Walking through the gate into the castle grounds of Valvasone means taking many steps back in time to the Middle Ages.

The building structure was constructed in late Romanesque style starting in 1449, furnished over the course of the following century, and rebuilt in the Neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century, replacing numerous wooden elements with marble and adding a new façade. The church houses a perfectly functioning 16th-century organ, the only one still in existence in Italy from the famous Venetian Renaissance tradition.

Valvasone Castle is the heart of the village, which once hosted two popes and even Napoleon during his conquest of Friuli. It was built in the 13th century as a defensive structure and today resembles more of a palace. The castle can be visited on certain weekdays. It houses one of the smallest historic theaters in Italy, with only around 50 seats.

The municipality of Valvasone Arzene is listed among the most beautiful towns in Italy thanks to the excellent state of preservation of its historic center, which boasts several stately homes dating from the 14th to 17th centuries. The most important architectural feature is the castle, surrounded by a moat and the old city walls. Also worth seeing is an old mill, which still retains its 15th-century wheel.

Downtown, across from the church and town hall, on Via Roma. We're also in a spring area: almost every house has its own fresh water fountain.

Since the end of the 19th century, man has changed the shape of the river to combat its floods and overflows: the result is this environment of woods and meadows that changes shape every season.

There are at least two parallel trails for running along the Meduna riverbank, one further out and one closer to the river: this allows access to the water, as many vacationers do. They are both gravel trails with some exposed rocks, easy enough even for gravel bikes, but require caution for less experienced riders. Beautiful nonetheless.

fountain in Via Viuzze, coming from Zoppola