As you can tell from the posts, I’m not exactly very knowledgeable in European history. I might be aware of the major events like the Roman empire but this is only on a very superficial level. My world history teacher would be disappointed in me if she knew that I have almost forgotten everything she taught in class. I think would remember some details if it came to me but the Lombards or Longobard weren’t something which I recall being taught in school. They were a Germanic tribe who invaded this part of Italy in the second half of the first millennium. It was during this rise of their power that they took over most of the Italian peninsula.

The Lombards had Italy for a good two hundred years until they themselves were eventually conquered by Charlemagne. Their time in Italy still left a lasting impact on Italy itself, including the language as well as names of places such as the most obvious one – Lombardy. Cividale del Friuli was ruled by local official who had their own little palace of their own. There were churches and chapels built here until eventually it was turned into a monastery. Like a lot of historical places in Italy, this was eventually turned into a museum and it is open for visitors to see and appreciate.

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