Lorenzo Pusceddu

Savorgnan Castle

A majestic castle, also known as the upper
castle, was built in medieval times on top of
the hill of San Martino, overlooking the town
of Artegna in the province of Udine. There remains
today only a few traces of this castle, it
having been repeatedly attacked, ruined, rebuilt,
and ultimately destroyed between the end of 1300 and
beginning of 1400. Because of these events, in the thirteenth
century the Lords of Artegna began the construction
of another building that would become their new
residence. They expanded and transformed some existing
old structures: a watchtower (which is now the fortified
tower of the castle) and part of the surrounding defending
walls of the ancient fortress. Thus was created what is
now called the little or bottom castle, given the small size
compared to the top one. From the Artegna family (a lineage
whose origin is uncertain, it was probably a family of
German origin) the ownership of the castle passed, with
many twists and turns, to the powerful family of Savorgnan,
which gave the current name to the castle.
The castle is now the precious guardian of ancient historical
events that took place on the hill. It houses, on the first
floor, an exhibition of archaeological finds from excavations
carried out on the hill.