ROMEO & JULIET
The ancient village of Ariis di Rivignano (Udine) does not host only the aquarium of the freshwater species of the region Friuli Venezia Giulia, but also the Villa Ottelio with its wonderful park, and its magic atmosphere related to the story - a definitely Friulian story - of Romeo and Juliet.
Luigi Da Porto and Lucina Savorgnan (both members - of two distinct branches - of the family Savorgnan) are the true characters of the Shakespeare drama, inspired by the novel "GIULIETTA" (Juliet) by Luigi Da Porto. Luigi, Captain in Arms and fine man of letters, in 1517 - in memory of a promise of love to the beloved Lucina - wrote the above mentioned novel, and dedicated it to the young Savorgnan lady. The novel - where the well known stories of the two lovers, and their families Capuleti and Montecchi, set in Verona, are told - has been regained in form of drama, and published by Shakespeare about 80 years later.

 

The study of the literature by Luigi Da Porto (see the studies by Prof. Cecil H. Clough, such as "The true story of Romeo and Juliet", in Renaissance Papers, 1962) allowed for the reconstruction of a whole hystorical scenario leading to the world of Romeo and Juliet. The difference, and the news, is that the story of the two lovers, and of their impossible love, was born and took place in Friuli Venezia Giulia, where at that time the family Savorgnan was rich and powerful.

A hystorical truth that is well known since time ago but quite exclusively to small groups of experts and specialists.

Luckily, however, the issue has been recently regained by different sources, and it seems to attract the attention of public opinion and media (see for example the books: "L'orgine friulana del mito", by A. Comelli and F. Tesei, L'Autore Libri Firenze publisher; "Juliet's story" by Vanni De Conti, GDC publisher; and the newspaper articles: Messaggero Veneto 30.08.2011; Messaggero Veneto 20.05.2011; Messaggero Veneto 04.01.2011; 16.09.2010 gruppo per il 500°; Messaggero Veneto 15.09.2010; Messaggero Veneto 03.08.2010; ).

Cover of the novel "GIULIETTA" (Juliet) , by Luigi Da Porto. Edizione Bendoni, Venezia, 1530.
Villa Ottelio-Savorgnan, in Ariis of Rivignano, likely meeting site of Luigi and Lucina, and Summer residence of Lucina. A commemorative plaque (put up on September 2010) remebres the two young, and shows the dedication by Luigi Da Porto to his beloved Lucina (dedication from his novel "JULIET").