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Area gastaldaga Cividale Friuli
The growing network of cycle routes in all Italian regions offers an environmentally friendly and adventurous way to visit tourist sites, respecting the environment and contributing to the conservation of the territory. The Associazione Italia Langobardorum, entrusted with the management of the UNESCO serial site, proposes a series of cycling tourism routes along the national cycle network BICITALIA, adopted by the FIAB (Italian Federation for Environment and Cycling).
Friuli-Venezia Giulia: The Gastaldaga area of Cividale del Friuli
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We begin our journey from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where the ancient capital of the Longobard Duchy of Friuli is located: Cividale del Friuli, which hosts on its territory the’area of the Gastaldaga, with the Longobard Temple and the Episcopal Complex, originally formed by a set of buildings, the Basilica, the Baptistery of St. John the Baptist and the Patriarchal Palace, the remains of which can be seen in the basement of the National Archaeological Museum, whose collections include a conspicuous Longobard section with numerous artefacts of exceptional value. It is precisely from the Baptistery that two of the most important works of Longobard sculptural production come from, dating back to the period of the so-called “Liutprandean renaissance” today preserved in the Christian/Treasury Museum of the Cathedral: the Tegurio di Callisto, an octagonal aedicule that covered the baptismal font, and the Altare del duca Ratchis, made of Istrian stone, with four antependia carved in flattened relief bearing biblical themes.
Cividale del Friuli, Tempietto longobardo
Bicycle route in eastern Friuli from Udine to Cividale del Friuli
Discover the Longobard cultural roots of eastern Friuli with a 25-kilometre cycle route connecting Udine to Cividale del Friuli, considered the “Longobard capital” of the region. This route, suitable for everyone, follows the route of the FVG4 from Caneva to the Slovenian border in the Natisone valleys.
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The route can start from the centre of Udine or from Godia near the Torre stream. Along the way, you can visit the charming centre of Udine with its squares with a Venetian atmosphere, such as Piazza Libertà and Piazza Matteotti. Although there is no dedicated cycle path, the path is safe thanks to the minor roads with little traffic.
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Acrossing an agricultural area with vegetable gardens and cultivated fields, the route offers panoramic views of the Julian Alps to the northeast. After Cividale del Friuli, well-trained cyclists can continue along the well-marked “Bimobis” route, which crosses into Slovenia via Caporetto and Tolmino, before returning to Italy at Gorizia.
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Ph. lucarodriguez/flickr
In Lombardy in the city of Brescia
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In Lombardy, discover the city of Brescia, capital of the Duchy of the same name. Here, the San Salvatore-Santa Giulia complex, now home to the City Museum, was built in 753 at the behest of Desiderio, the future king of the Lombards. This extraordinary architectural complex, which includes the monastery of Santa Giulia and the basilica of San Salvatore, exhibits numerous Longobard archaeological finds. In the oratory of Santa Maria in Solario is the ‘Cross of King Desiderius’”, while in the archaeological area nearby you can admire the Capitolium and the Roman Theatre of ancient Brixia.
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Brescia offers six cycling routes through the hills, including ‘The Landscapes of King Desiderius’‘ and ’The Hills of King Rotari‘’, which pass through picturesque landscapes of vineyards and ancient marble quarries. Brescia è is also part of the ‘’ComuniCiclabili®‘’ 2023 network of the FIAB, which rewards municipalities committed to cycling mobility.
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Brescia, Chiostro di San Salvatore
At Castelseprio-Torba, in the province of Varese, the Archaeological Park of Castelseprio preserves the castrum, a late Roman fortified site reused by the Lombards. The church of Santa Maria foris portas offers frescoes on the infancy of Christ, while the Torre di Torba, transformed into a Benedictine monastery in the 8th century, preserves precious frescoes.
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The archaeological park of Castelseprio and the monastery of Torba are also major resting places along the Altro Olona Valley cycle path, a cycle route of about 20 km that follows the disused Valmorea railway, linking Castellanza to Mendrisio. The route, on a mixed asphalt-gravel surface, runs along the Olona River and through a lush landscape. Near the cycle route, besides the Lombard site, it is possible to visit the ancient village of Castiglione Olona and the monastery of the Assunta in Cairate. In Busto Arsizio, a structure of the FIAB Albergabici® circuit offers ideal services for cyclists.
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Castelseprio, Church of Santa Maria foris portas
Umbria: In the Duchy of Spoleto
Continuing along the Lombard route in Umbria, in the Duchy of Spoleto, we find the UNESCO sites of Spoleto and Campello sul Clitunno.
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In Spoleto, the Basilica di San Salvatore, erected in memory of the martyrs Concordio and Senzia and then dedicated to the Saviour in the Lombard era, is an example of classical architecture, with materials from Roman buildings. The National Museum of the Duchy of Spoleto, located in the Rocca Albornoziana, collects important Longobard artefacts.
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At Campello sul Clitunno, the Tempietto del Clitunno, built between the 7th and 8th centuries, uses reused Roman materials, harmoniously assembled. The exterior features decorated columns and an inscription in Roman capital script, while the interior is enriched by high quality wall paintings.
Spoleto, Basilica San Salvatore – Ph. Nicoletta di Cicco Pucci
The Assisi-Spoleto cycle path in the heart of Umbria
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The sites of Spoleto and Campello sul Clitunno are crossed by the Assisi-Spoleto cycle path, a 45 km route, flat and protected, offering spectacular views of the Umbrian hills, dotted with olive groves, vineyards and medieval villages. The route passes through famous tourist resorts such as Montefalco, Trevi, Foligno, Bevagna, Spello and Assisi.
Along the route, there are facilities of the FIAB Albergabici® circuit, ideal for cycling tourists. Foligno also bears the FIAB ComuniCiclabili® 2023 mark, demonstrating a strong commitment to bicycle mobility.
Tempietto del Clitunno
Campania: The Complex of Santa Sofia at Benevento
The journey along the sites of the Longobard Serial Site takes us to Benevento, capital of the Longobard Duchy from 570 to 1077. Here stands the Church of Santa Sofia, built in 760 by Arechi II, Duke of Benevento, as his personal chapel and national shrine. The centrally planned interior features columns and pillars forming a concentric hexagon and decagon, with capitals of classical age. The two minor apses preserve frescoes dedicated to stories of Christ. Adjacent to the church is the monastery, now housing the Sannio Museum, which exhibits Longobard artefacts and grave goods found in the Benevento necropolis.
Church of Santa Sofia
The Campania section of the Ciclovia Francigena
The territory of Benevento and its ancient duchy can be explored by bicycle along the BI3 – Ciclovia Francigena, a long cycle route that, integrating into the Italian part of the EuroVelo Route n°5, winds along secondary roads, dirt tracks and paths suitable for two wheels and stretches over 2. 500 kilometres from Como to Brindisi, tracing the course of the ancient Via Francigena, used by pilgrims in the Middle Ages to reach the holy places of the Christian faith.
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After following the Volturno Cycleway, the itinerary enters the province of Benevento, rich in Roman and Longobard historical evidence. At Telese Terme, renowned for its thermal waters, and Solopaca, with its ducal palace and Norman castle, there are accommodation facilities of the FIAB Albergabici® network, ideal for stops and overnight stays.
Interior of the Church of Santa Sofia
Apulia: The Basilica-Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel in Monte Sant’Angelo
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The last stop on the journey through the Lombard territories è Monte Sant’Angelo in Apulia, part of the duchy of Benevento since the 6th century. Here, the Sanctuary of St Michael Archangel, built around a limestone cave, became the national shrine of the Lombards from the 7th century. Linked to the cult of St Michael by assonances with the pagan god Wodan, the Lombards considered St Michael the protector of Christianity and a model for other shrines in Europe.
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The Apulian and Gargano section of the Adriatic Ciclovia
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The Ciclovia Adriatica (BI6) crosses the Gargano peninsula and Monte Sant’Angelo, connecting Trieste to Leuca for over 1,700 kilometres. In Apulia, the route offers beautiful coastal and mountainous views, passing through Monte Sant’Angelo, Manfredonia, Brindisi and Bari. The cities of Brindisi and Bari are terminals of important cycle routes: EuroVelo no. 5 ‘’Ciclovia Romea-francigena‘’ andBicItalia no. 10 ‘’Ciclovia dei Borboni‘’.
Sanctuary San Michele Arcangelo – Ph. Matteo Nuzziello
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