Palazzo Mantica
Museum | Udine | Friuli-Venezia Giulia | Italy
The Palazzo Mantica in Udine is an outstanding example of 16th century architecture and now serves as the headquarters of the Società Filologica Friulana, a society dedicated to the promotion of Friulian culture and language. The building is located in the historic center of Udine, in Borgo San Bartolomeo, and is a significant cultural heritage of the region.
History and significance:
The Palazzo was originally built in 1492 by Nicolò Vanni Onesti and acquired by Giuseppe Manin in 1543. In 1560, through the marriage of Faustina Manin to Pietro Mantica, the property came into the possession of the Mantica family, who transformed the building over the years with elaborate details. After several changes of ownership, the Società Filologica Friulana acquired the Palazzo in 1966 and restored it to use it as a cultural center.
Architecture:
The Palazzo Mantica features an elegant facade with a distinctive Pentafora on the first floor, flanked by two side balconies. Below the Pentafora is a bass relief of the Madonna with Child, surrounded by cherubs, created by Carlo da Carona around 1520. The building has an inner courtyard and a monumental staircase that allows access to the upper floors.
Current use:
Today, the Palazzo Mantica houses the Società Filologica Friulana, which is dedicated to the research and promotion of Friulian language and culture. The building is used for cultural events, exhibitions, and conferences, and is a hub for the Friulian community. The society's library, which includes approximately 20,000 volumes, many valuable editions, and 350 journal titles, is also located in the Palazzo and is open to the public.
The Palazzo Mantica is therefore a significant cultural center in Udine, preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the region.
