Merlana: Villa Rubini and the Church of Santa Caterina

In Merlana, several aspects of local history come together: Villa Rubini and the Folador di Villa Rubini reflect architectural and agricultural history, while the Church of Santa Caterina Vergine e Martire brings together several building phases and decorative details. The Anello delle ville friulane cycling route (R038) also passes through the village. Here, specific historical details sit alongside a named cycling connection.

Villa Rubini and the Folador

Villa Rubini in Merlana was built in the 18th century by the old Friulian family of the Counts Mantica. The Folador di Villa Rubini shows another aspect of historic construction: it is a typical agricultural building of the Friulian plain. Its layout distinguishes the former work areas. On the ground floor were two long rooms side by side: the room for winemaking to the south and the wine cellar to the north. The upper floor served as a granary. Winemaking and wine storage were therefore arranged separately, while grain was stored on its own floor.

Since 2010/2011, the building has served as a venue for public and private gatherings, including larger events. The agricultural layout and its later use as a meeting venue thus reflect the Folador’s different functions.

Santa Caterina: Building history and furnishings

The present-day Church of Santa Caterina Vergine e Martire dates from the 18th or 19th century and was created by remodeling an older building from the late 16th century. Its interior has a single nave, and the presbytery has a groin vault. Above the side entrance is a 16th-century inscription dedicating the predecessor chapel to Saint Nicholas. An inscription on the freestanding bell tower bears the date June 6, 1803.

The furnishings also reflect different periods. The baptismal font dates from the 17th century, and its copper cover was engraved in the 19th century. At the beginning of the 20th century, Vittorio Ferrero created a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The marble high altar is adorned with statues of the martyr Biagio, who was a bishop, and the martyr Lorenzo, who was a deacon. They were made by Adeodato Periotti of Udine. In 1905, Giovanni Fattori painted an image of the church’s patron saint, Santa Caterina, on the rear wall of the apse.

November 25 is dedicated to Santa Caterina d’Alessandria in Merlana. Along with the inscription to the Chapel of Saint Nicholas, religious dedications and traditions are also part of the village’s history.

Putting Merlana in context by bike

The Anello delle ville friulane cycling route (R038) passes through Merlana and can be reached from Udine via the Alpe-Adria cycle route (FVG1). For cycling plans, distinguish between the two names: R038 identifies the tour, while FVG1 is the cycle route that provides access to it from Udine. This makes it possible to distinguish the route through Merlana from the connection from Udine.

When choosing a destination, you can weigh these two highlights according to your interests: the villa, Folador and church represent architectural and art history, while R038 offers a specific cycling connection. Merlana can therefore be explored through both its historic buildings and a named cycling route.

For the broader travel overview: Trivignano Udinese.