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The Castle of Buttrio is a historic residence, 460 ft above sea level, on top of the Pampinutta hill (from “pampino”, the vine leaf cultivated in the area). This area is set between the Colli Orientali, surrounded by the vineyards of the homonymous farm and several wonderful sights, ranging from the hills of Buttrio to the Gulf of Trieste.
Today, the castle houses a charming farmhouse, a winery and an inn specialized in typical Friulian dishes.

The Castle has been known since 1139, but given its strategic position, it was probably built in the XIth century. It withstood several assaults, sieges, partial destructions and reconstructions while hosting several noble families: the Lords of Buttrio, the Cuccagnas, the de Portis, the di Varmos, the di Sottos, and the Morpurgos.

Today, the castle consists of two villas and several buildings from different times, namely from the XVII to the XX century, rebuilt on previous ruins and restored by Alessandra Felluga.

The eighteenth-century Villa, with its neo-classical facade with Art Nouveau elements, is protected by an early XX century gate, with refined Art Nouveau decorations. The coat of arms and the initials of Baron Elio Morpurgo (1858-1944), are framed within mighty stone columns.

The XVII century main building is made of a battled square tower built with circular neo-Gothic style and exposed brickwork. It comes with a round-arched entrance, three French doors with stone balustrades on the first floor and, in the attic, elliptical windows surmounted by a continuous denticulated cornice. In the buttresses, used to protect the ancient castle, there are farmhouses with adjacent stables.

Beyond the inn, there is the XIVth century church of Saints Gervasio and Protasio, which can be used for weddings. From that point, visitors can access the park, restored by Alessandra Felluga, which surrounds the hill with a ring-shaped avenue, overlooking the whole area. The local flora includes cypresses, magnolias, European hop-hornbeams (Ostrya carpinifolia), European hornbeams (Carpinus betulus), English walnut trees (Juglans regia), bay laurels (Laurus nobilis), Lebanon cedars (Cedrus libani), and maritime pines (Pinus pinaster).

This post is also available in: Italiano (Italian)