The site

The boundaries of the nominated properties are the “Gastaldaga area with the so-called Tempietto Longobardo” and the “Episcopal complex with the Palazzo Patriarcalebelow the National Archaeological Museum”.

Both the Gastaldaga and the Episcopal complex (insula episcopalis) correspond to the heart of the Longobard city. That of Cividale del Friuli – the first Longobard Duchy in Italy - is an emblematic example of the urban culture of the Longobard period, which brings together in one place the most important centres of power in the city.

The Santa Maria in Valle Monastery with the Tempietto Longobardo and the Church of San Giovanni 

The Gastaldaga area and the Monastic complex of S. Maria in Valle

In the GASTALDAGA area - the royal court inside the Duchy - stands the Tempietto longobardo (Oratorio of Santa Maria in Valle), one of the most complex and original buildings of Longobard architecture. The Tempietto, together with the palatine Church of San Giovanni. The complex is included in the Monastery of Santa Maria in Valle.

Episcopal complex with the Museo Archeologico Nazionale

The Episcopal complex (insula episcopalis), renovated and extended by the Patriarch Callisto, consisted of a set of communicating buildings which included the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta, the Baptistery of Saint John and the Patriarchal Palace below the actual National Archaeological Museum.  From the Baptistery come two of the most important works of Longobard sculpture, currently preserved in the Museo Cristiano e Tesoro del Duomo: the Callisto's "Tegurium" -  an octagonal aedicule which covered the baptismal font - and the Altar commissioned by King Ratchis, the only sculptural piece from the Longobard era featuring a biblical narrative theme.