San Daniele became famous for it’s prosciutto, but that is not all there is to it.

Set on a hill, San Daniele is the main center of this hilly region: from here it enjoys endless panoramas of sweets distant hills.

It is the perfect weekend destination for lovers of prosciutto, history, culture, and places off the beaten path.

San Daniele is tucked away in the north-east corner of Italy, in the province of Udine and close to the borders of Austria and Slovenia.

What to see

You can’t miss the Duomo di San Michele Arcangelo (Cathedral of Saint Michael the Archangel), nestled on top of the town square. The many steps that lead to the main entrance makes you think that San Daniele parishioners will decidedly receive priority to the holy gates of heaven having had all that training!

The Cathedral was built in the 14th century on the site of a previous building, before being refurbished in the 18th century by the Venetian architect, Domenico Rossi, and later expanded.

Biblioteca Guarneriana

Next to the Duomo you can visit the Biblioteca Guarneriana (Guarneriana Library www.guarneriana.it/antica/ ), one of Italy’s most venerated libraries and the oldest library in Friuli. Founded in 1466, it contains more than 12,000 antique books including a priceless manuscript of Dante’s inferno. The same microclimate that naturally air cures Prosciutto di San Daniele also preserves the library’s ancient manuscripts, with no need for air conditioning.

Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot

By walking down the street on the left of the Duomo, there is the Chiesa di Sant’Antonio Abate (Church of Saint Anthony the Abbot). A small church built in 1308, and dedicated to the patron saint of pork butchers and charcutiers. How appropriate for the town that’s home to Prosciutto di San Daniele, how did he knew?

The first known reference to this church dates back to 1308, and there’s a good reason why it’s called the ‘Sistine Chapel of Friuli’;

The interior is completely frescoes with a cycle of paintings by Renaissance artist, Pellegrino da San Daniele

Where to Eat

This should not be difficult. Restaurants in San Daniele really abound. And it should be something not to pass. Prosciutto eaten in San Daniele is far better than any other prosciutto ever tasted. I don’t understand why the prosciutto that I buy at the best grocery store will never be a match to what is served in a restaurant in San Daniele. It is like pizza in Naples, cheese cake in New York, or crabs in San Francisco. My favorite restaurant is DolceNero

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In this lovely restaurant you can taste prosciutto crudo 20 months aging; or 36 months aging. One of their top dishes is also the Tagliolini alla San Daniele; home-Made pasta with prosciutto; delicious !

San Daniele Best Restaurants

• L’Osteria
• L’Osteria Di Tancredi
• Enoteca Prosciutteria La Corte di Bacco
• Ai Bintars
• La Tavernaccia
• La Casa del Prosciutto “Alberti 1906“
• Ristorante La Pergola
• Prosciutteria Dok dall’Ava