The ancient castle of Cucagna, philologically recovered without affecting its historical authenticity and without introducing modern construction elements, serves as the setting for unique cultural events, welcoming spectators in a highly suggestive and uncontaminated environment.

the Institute organizes cultural events on musical, instrumental, culinary and chivalry traditions of the medieval and Renaissance periods.

Research on medieval culture is mainly based on iconographic written or illustrated sources, but much is still undetermined.

For example we have scores testifying music of that period, but little is known about the execution and interpretation leaving plenty of room for improvisation of the musician. The musical instruments are known to us only through paintings of the XII/XIII century. Research in this field is a continuous experimental workshop, always open to new solutions and to new interpretations.

The castle church was identified in 1992 during the evacuation of the collapsed rubble, thanks also to a notarial document of 1326, the act of hereditary division of Cucagna Castle starring the three sons of the noble Adalpretto Cucagna, John, Henry and Varner. They divide the castle and properties attached to it into three equal parts, then assigned by lottery one to each son. The St. James church goes to Lord Varnerio Cucagna together with the tower, the kitchen and the oven.

After 600 years on St. James’day, July 25, 2007 the restored church was inaugurated and blessed by S.E. Msgr. Pietro Brollo, archbishop of Udine. So 980 years after the founding of Cucagna Castle the church it was reopened for worship.

Since then every year on July 25 it is celebrated St. James’ day. A pilgrimage starts from the village S. Anastasia (Faedis) uphill along the medieval trail. The Holy Mass is celebrated with Gregorian chants in honor of St. James taken from Callixtino Code of 1140 (performed by the choir Schola Dilecta, direct by Master Giovanni Zanetti), and represents a meeting occasion for pilgrims who have made or intend to make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

The exclusivity of the fortified castles of Zucco (XII -XVI century) and Cucagna (XI-XV century) in Faedis is represented by its architectural and archaeological integrity, where we can easily identify paved paths, historic stone quarries, connecting walls, entrances, gate towers, fortified ramparts, moats, towers and shielded buildings, walls, foundations of drawbridges, natural caves. In addition, the site is surrounded by its original environment, characterized by a large wooded almost untouched area of great natural beauty, typical landscape of Friuli foothill.

the Institute offers historical and architectural guided tours of the site.

The visit includes a description of the complex defensive system and visit of the two castles and churches.

The restoration and reconstruction of the two castles are still on-going. We recommend sports clothing and hiking boots.

PROGRAM:

• The medieval trail (Starting from Borgo St. Anastasia-Faedis);
• Visit of Zucco Castle from the outside; visit the church of Our Lady of Zucco;
• Climb in the forest to the Cucagna castle and visit of its defensive structures;
• Visit of Cucagna Castle and the church of San Giacomo
• Refreshments;
• Descent to Faedis with visit to the church of San Rocco;
• Transfer from the centre of Faedis to the car parking.

Duration: 3-4 hours
Participants: groups of 15-20 people
From April to October upon reservation.

For information and reservations please contact:
Katharina von Stietencron
tel. 0039-0432-728852
ircczsid@triangolo.it

The Cucagna Castle serves as a picturesque setting for artistic and cultural events and study evenings that have as their object the ancient traditions of various parts of the world.