Of Celtic origin, later fortified by the Lombards, Gemona Castle is located on a rocky spur to guard, in Roman times, the Via Julia Claudia in Noricum.
Castello di Gemona History
Certainly already inhabited in antiquity, Gemona was the seat of arimannia in the Langobard era and as such is remembered in 611. Cited in a document of Otto III of 1001, starting from the XII century the town developed rapidly at the foot of the castle, thanks also to the extremely interesting position for trade and relations with the Nordic countries.
Throughout history, Gemona had to undergo numerous attacks and found itself at the center of important warfare several times, especially against the nearby rival town Venzone. With the earthquake of 1511 the castle ruined and the new town hall was built with part of its stones. Like the whole town, the fortress (here in a photo from the beginning of the twentieth century) suffered serious damage due to the 1976 earthquakes.
Nowadays only Porta Udine remains and from December 2008 the public gardens of the castle have been reopened. In addition to the tranquility of walks among the roof terraces, from the highest part of the hill you can enjoy a breathtaking view that repays the effort for the climb, with the panorama that ranges from the roofs of the city, to the mountains and to the wide valley of the Tagliamento