Friuli

Friuli is a historical and cultural region in northeastern Italy. It corresponds chiefly to the modern autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with its historic heart centered on the city of Udine. The territory lies between the Alps to the north, the Adriatic Sea to the south, the Julian and Carnic Alps, and the Isonzo and Tagliamento rivers; its landscape ranges from Alpine foothills and vineyards to flat plains near the coast.

Historically, Friuli emerged as a Roman frontier province and later as a Lombard duchy. It was subsequently ruled by the Republic of Venice and then the Habsburg Monarchy, before becoming part of Italy after World War I. The region has long been a crossroads of Latin, Slavic, and Germanic influences, which shaped its culture, architecture, and local customs.

Friulian, a Romance language, is spoken by a portion of the population and has recognition as a minority language. The cultural heritage includes medieval and pre-Roman sites such as Aquileia, a major Roman city and early Christian center. The cuisine features frico and polenta, and the region is known for wines such as Friulano, Refosco, and Picolit.

Today, Friuli is part of the autonomous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with Udine as its historical capital and Trieste as the regional capital. The economy combines agriculture (wine, grain, dairy), industry, and tourism, drawn to its historic towns, mountains, and coastline.