The castle is strategically located on top of a hill, which might already have been a garrison since Roman times guarding the vital trade route that was the Julia Augusta road connecting Aquileia with Noricum (the Roman province covering parts of today’s Austria and Slovenia).
The south tower of the fortress is thought to have been built for the Cassinberg family around the 11th-12th centuries, and in the 13th century a castle was built, which kept being extended until the 16th century, when the Santa Maria Assunta (St Mary of the Assumption) Church was built. The rather modest towers found along the walls, and the agricultural buildings go back to the 18th century. It started as the property of the lords of Montegnacco and changed hands several times in the Middle Ages. The current buildings include two imposing towers connected by an elegant middle section, as well as some remnants of the old moat and defensive walls.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta dates back to the 15th century but it was expanded over the centuries. The back entrance was exclusively reserved to the lords of the manor, who used to access the upper mezzanine by means of a spiral staircase to avoid any contact with the commoners.
Fun fact
A legend has it that an ogre (known as an orcolat in the Friulian language) used to stand with a foot on top of the castle of Cassacco and the other on top of the castle of Tricesimo and then lean down to drink water and wash his hands in the waters of the Soima stream, and he enjoyed playing tricks on the poor local peasants.
The south tower of the fortress is thought to have been built for the Cassinberg family around the 11th-12th centuries, and in the 13th century a castle was built, which kept being extended until the 16th century, when the Santa Maria Assunta (St Mary of the Assumption) Church was built. The rather modest towers found along the walls, and the agricultural buildings go back to the 18th century. It started as the property of the lords of Montegnacco and changed hands several times in the Middle Ages. The current buildings include two imposing towers connected by an elegant middle section, as well as some remnants of the old moat and defensive walls.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta dates back to the 15th century but it was expanded over the centuries. The back entrance was exclusively reserved to the lords of the manor, who used to access the upper mezzanine by means of a spiral staircase to avoid any contact with the commoners.
Fun fact
A legend has it that an ogre (known as an orcolat in the Friulian language) used to stand with a foot on top of the castle of Cassacco and the other on top of the castle of Tricesimo and then lean down to drink water and wash his hands in the waters of the Soima stream, and he enjoyed playing tricks on the poor local peasants.
Information and tours
The Castle of Cassacco can be visited by appointment obtainable through the visitors’ office of the Society for the Preservation of Historical Castles of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Available services
Open Castles initiative
Educational tours
Exclusive tours
Garden and park
Reception Hall
Conference Hall
Bed & Breakfast
Catering
Castle of Cassacco
Via Cassinberg 10
33010 Cassacco (UD)
Society’s secretariat
Tel.: +39 0432 288588
Fax: +39 0432 229790
visite@consorziocastelli.it
The Castle of Cassacco can be visited by appointment obtainable through the visitors’ office of the Society for the Preservation of Historical Castles of Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Available services
Open Castles initiative
Educational tours
Exclusive tours
Garden and park
Reception Hall
Conference Hall
Bed & Breakfast
Catering
Castle of Cassacco
Via Cassinberg 10
33010 Cassacco (UD)
Society’s secretariat
Tel.: +39 0432 288588
Fax: +39 0432 229790
visite@consorziocastelli.it
Venzone - Udine
1.8 km
8 min
DISTANCE FROM THE ROUTE