The building was the former home and shop of Dante Cavazzini, a local entrepreneur who bequeathed the property to the city.
During the 2012 restoration, workers discovered 14th-century frescoes beneath layers of plaster, which are now preserved and on display.
The interior design was overseen by Gae Aulenti, the same architect who famously converted the Gare d'Orsay into the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
The museum serves as the primary repository for the extensive Astaldi Collection, donated by Maria Luisa and Italo Astaldi.
The structure includes a hidden inner courtyard that retains the character of a typical Renaissance-era Venetian-style house.
Casa Cavazzini is a museum of modern and contemporary art housed in a restored 16th-century residence in the center of Udine. The building itself is an architectural exhibit, featuring a mix of original 1500s structural elements and minimalist 21st-century renovations by architect Gae Aulenti. The permanent collection focuses on 20th-century Italian art, with a significant emphasis on works from the Friuli region. It houses the Astaldi Collection, which includes key pieces by Italian Futurist and metaphysical painters. The museum spans multiple floors, integrating high-ceilinged historic rooms with modern gallery spaces. The layout allows for a chronological journey through art history, specifically highlighting the transition from traditional to avant-garde movements.
The minimalist, stark white staircase designed by Gae Aulenti, which contrasts sharply with the original historic walls.
Visit the top floor first and work your way down to see the historical architectural evolution of the building.
Look for the recovered medieval frescoes on the ground floor, which are often overlooked by visitors heading straight to the modern galleries.
Assuming all the art is from the 16th century; the collection is strictly modern and contemporary, despite the house's age.
Closed on Mondays.
