WAT SHOULD YOU CERTAINLY VISIT IN ZUGLIO?

 

FOUNDED BY THE EMPEROR JULIUS CAESAR

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Zuglio is an ancient Roman settlement which was founded by the Emperor Julius Caesar in the same period as Cividale around 50 B.C. It was formerly called Julium Carnicum. Julium to Julius and Carnicum because it is located in the foothills of the Carnic Alps by the Romans called Carnicum. It was of course built on a strategic place. The road, the Roman Julia Augusta Road, which runs along the town was in the past a busy commercial road linking Northern Europe and Northern Italy through this valley. It started in Aquileia, the bustling trading town and Patriarchal seat near Grado, and ended in Klagenfurt in Austria.

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Many traders, pilgrims but also soldiers and other people entered the country walking on this road. The city grew in importance and was at first simple place where legions stayed but then turned into a municipum and finally a Roman colony.

 

THE CELTS WERE HERE BEFORE

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Before the Romans, the Celts lived here. This is proven because  various utensils were found here during the excavations. You can see them in the local archaeological museum along with artifacts from the Roman era. Not far from the museum you can see for yourself parts of the excavations. For example the foundations of the ancient Roman Forum and Basilica.

 

BY FOOT TO THE CHURCH SAN PIETRO ON TOP OF THE HILL

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Today it is a small village where there is not much to do but the setting is beautiful. A little further on top of the hill stands the church of San Pietro dating back to the 14th century. The Patriarch wanted to build this church on this spot to give to the 11 small villages in this area the opportunity to follow the religious service. For the sportive ones, a nice thing to do is to go by foot to the church. You start in the village of Arta Terme from where, after a climb of 5 km. you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. In the village of Arta Terme are also (as the name suggests) the Thermal Baths of Arta so after the descent you can relax there.

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