On the way to Ramandolo, which is a small village belonging to the Comune of Nimis, 20 km away from Udine, in the North East of Italy, you will enjoy a wonderful landscape of the north-eastern hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia. On the hill above Ramandolo there is a small fifteenth century church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, from where you can see all the nearby villages: Nimis, Attimis, Faedis and Cividale (see map). In the village of Nimis you can visit a Roman church (700 d.c.) dedicated to St. Gervasio and Protasio and, in September, take part to the village "Fête of the wine". In Attimis there is a seventeenth century villa, Villa Attimis Strassoldo, with its typical stone walls and wood balconies. Faedis, whose origin dated back to the 11th century, still maintains its stronghold walls. Its name come from "Fagetum", the Latin word for beech wood. The area is known for the production of a delicious red wine, Refosco. The town of Cividale was founded by Julius Cesar in 53 b.C. and named Forum Julii - hence the name Friuli - and became the capital of the first Lombard Duchy in Italy (VI century). Two hundred years of Lombard rule have left a rich historical and cultural heritage, such as the Lombard Temple, famous for its 8th - century stuccoes. Not far from the Temple are other significant monuments: the Celtic Hypogeum and the Devil's Bridge with a marvellous view on the River Natisone. During the year, there are several interesting festivals and feasts, some commemorating medieval times and some showing and selling the excellent wines produced in that area. How to find us