08Jan2018
Have you ever stopped to look through the embrasures of a castle wall, imagining what might lie beyond? What life must have been like in a medieval court? How the days of a lord and his subjects might pass?
On the occasion of Castelli Aperti FVG (Open Casteles), the Formentini family opened the mighty wooden doors of its castle to the public to welcome visitors and enable them to take a leap into the past.
Perched on the hills of ??San Floriano del Collio, the castle was built to defend the area in the eleventh century and ha been owned by the conti Formentini since 1520. Accompanied by his loyal court jester, conte Filippo Formentini welcome us into the great hall, used today as a wine cellar, to tell the story of his family; a large hearth in the centre heats the entire ground floor.
On the top floor in an immense room covered with tapestries and Old Master paintings, the jester entertained us with medieval tricks and games, while more curious visitors found a room housing a splendid library. Out in the garden of the castle, there were fire-eaters waiting for us, soldiers involved in fighting scenes and women busy at their sewing and showing how fabrics were made.
Beyond the walls and the two towers rows of vines stretch out in long lines, while at the end of the garden, our attention was captured by a family of wild boar, the property of the family. Last but not least is the guard tower, restored and used as accommodation; here the contessa also holds cookery courses and dedicated food shows.
The Castelli Aperti offers a unique experience, which I recommend for adults and children; to provides an opportunity to enjoy a different afternoon and take a dip into an atmosphere of the past.
Find out about the ideas and offers for this experience in Friuli Venezia Giulia
