Tarcento

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =tarcento-Stemma.gif
official_name = Comune di Tarcento
region = Friuli-Venezia Giulia
province = Udine (UD)
elevation_m = 230
area_total_km2 = 35
population_as_of = 2004-12-31
population_total = 8933
population_density_km2 =249
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates =coord|46|13|N|13|13|E|
frazioni = Bulfons, Ciseriis, Coia, Collalto, Collerumiz, Loneriacco, Molinis, Sammardenchia, Sedilis, Segnacco, Stella, Zomeais
telephone = 0432
postalcode = 33017
gentilic = Tarcentini
saint = St. Peter
day =
mayor =Roberto Pinosa (since 2003)
website = [http://www.comune.tarcento.ud.it www.comune.tarcento.ud.it]

Tarcento (Friulian "Tarcint", Slovenian "Čenta") is a town and municipality (comune) in the province of Udine, in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of north-eastern Italy.

History

Tarcento occupies a strategic location at a bridging point on the River Torre, and archaeological finds indicate a very early date for its first occupation. However Tarcento first appears in the historical record around the year 1126 CE, when an Austrian nobleman, Machland, from Perg, was feudal overlord of the castle around which the town had developed. Subsequently a second castle had been built on the hill of Coia.

In 1219 the Caporiaccio family took over as feudal overlords. Both castles were badly damaged during wars for control of the area between the Holy Roman Empire and the Republic of Venice in the middle ages, and in 1420 CE Tarcento became part of the territory controlled by the Venetian Republic.

The main castle was burnt down in a peasant's uprising and then damaged by a serious earthquake, both in 1511 CE. Nothing remains of that castle today. A corner of the tower of the castle on the hill of hill of Coia can still be seen.

Following the Napeleonic destruction of the Venetian Republic in 1797, Tarcento came under Austrian Rule. In 1866 Tarcento became part of the Kingdom of Italy.

During the first world war, Tarcento was close to the front line on the eastern front. After the disastrous Battle of Caporetto in 1917, Tarcento was occupied by the Austrians until the end of the war.

Another catastrophic earthquake in 1976 caused a great deal of damage in the town and its surroundings,all of which has subsequently been repaired.

Main sights

*Palazzo dei Frangipane (18th century), with an octagonal loggia.
*The Parish church of St. Peter (12th century), with a rich Baroque high altar.
*Villa De Rubeis, built in the 17th century over a pre-existing 12th century structure. It has noteworthy paintings, doors with painted mirrors and a notable central hall.
*Arboreto Pascul, an arboretum.
*Cjscjelat,the ruined castle tower on Coia where,each 6th of Jenuary, the "pignarul grant" takes place, an ancient bonfire ceremony believed to have Celtic origins.
*Villa Moretti (19th century) a house formerly owned by the Moretti brewing family, and now an arts centre, situated on the hill of Coia.

References

*"L'Italia da scoprire", vol. 1. Giorgio Mondadori, 2004