Castello di Arcano (Rive d'Arcano)

The castle from upper Arcano, originally built near the church of San Mauro along the banks of the River Corno, was erected upon the ruins of a Roman villa. It was later rebuilt in its present location, a site strategically more secure, and extended probably towards the end of the 13th century. Another castle, destroyed in the 15th century during the Turkish raids, can be found in lower Arcano. Ever since the 12th century both castles have belonged to the Tricano family (this is how the Arcano family was called until the 16th century, on account of its coat of arms depicting three black dogs).

Despite the loss of the tower, knocked down probably at the end of the 16th century, the castle still retains its captivating Medieval appearance, with crenellated battlements, a twin-tower gate, and a mighty keep (one of the largest in Friuli) with an elegant row of late Romanesque mullioned windows. A room with frescoes by Andrea Urbani and several multi-coloured marble fireplaces and portals by 17th century stone-cutter Raffaello de’ Raffaelli can be found inside the castle.