Pordenone Open Days: free guided tours following in the footsteps of Antonio de’ Sacchis
From April to September, on the last Sunday of every month
The Pordenone Museum Network is launching ‘Open Days Il Pordenone’: free guided tours of three churches in the town’s hamlets, following in the footsteps of Giovanni Antonio de’ Sacchis, known as Il Pordenone. The initiative begins on Sunday 26 April and runs until September. The churches of Sant’Ulderico (Villanova), Santi Ruperto e Leonardo (Vallenoncello) and San Lorenzo Martire (Rorai Grande) will open simultaneously. The doors will swing wide to reveal frescoes and altarpieces that are often little known to the general public.
A tailor-made itinerary
“Open Days Il Pordenone” does not have a set route. Visitors can choose which church to start with, how many stops to make and the order in which to visit them. Each church has a qualified tour guide. Tours last around 40 minutes and depart from the entrance at 2.30 pm, 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm. The venues remain open from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Admission is free and no booking is required. Those wishing to return can plan a new itinerary month after month.
Churches and works of art
- Church of Sant’Ulderico, in the Villanova district. Here, the frescoes in the apse bear witness to Pordenone’s ‘Venetian’ period: luminous compositions, a sense of compositional order and references to Venetian painting. The stone altar by Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte stands out in the church, lending the nave a sense of grandeur and simplicity.
- Church of Saints Ruperto and Leonardo, in the Vallenoncello district. The altarpiece of the high altar is the highlight of the visit. Here, the artist begins to break with classical conventions: the three-dimensionality of the figures increases, as does their expressiveness. The church also houses a fresco attributed to Giovanni Maria Zaffoni, known as ‘il Calderari’, a sensitive interpreter of Pordenone’s legacy.
- Church of San Lorenzo Martire, in the Rorai Grande district. A 15th-century core hidden within 20th-century structures preserves the ‘Storie della Vergine’ on the choir vault. Here, we see Pordenone at his most mature, capable of infusing great dramatic intensity into intimate, traditional spaces.
Why visit these churches
Pordenone’s works in the villages around Pordenone illustrate different stages of his artistic development. Visiting these places is like leafing through the artist’s visual diary. The churches are still very much alive in their religious and community roles. Discovering the frescoes in situ means experiencing the work within the context for which it was conceived: architecture, light and popular devotion. And it means gaining a deeper understanding of the city, its stories and its waterways, which have shaped both the landscape and city life.
2026 Calendar
- Sunday 26 April
- Sunday 31 May
- Sunday 28 June
- Sunday 26 July
- Sunday 23 August
- Sunday 27 September
Practical information
- Church opening times: 14:30 — 17:30
- Tour departure times (at each church): 14:30 — 15:30 — 16:30
- Tour duration: approximately 40 minutes
- Admission: free, no booking required
For further information: visiteguidatepn@gmail.com
The urban context and opportunities
The initiative helps to showcase the city’s widespread cultural heritage. It forms part of the cultural calendar of the Pordenone Museum Network, which also includes the Galleria Harry Bertoia. The Gallery is a venue that complements the city’s cultural offering: whilst Open Days brings art into the heart of the neighbourhoods, the Gallery provides opportunities for in-depth exploration and hosts temporary exhibitions. Together, these initiatives offer an insight into both the historic and contemporary facets of the city.
Institutional support and tourism prospects
The event is supported by the FVG Region, with the contribution announced by Councillor Bini. This support is important in the run-up to 2027, a year on which the city is focusing its cultural and tourism promotion initiatives. Recent figures confirm a rise in interest in the region: according to PromoTurismoFVG, between 2024 and 2025, overnight stays in holiday apartments increased by 92 per cent. Bed and breakfasts recorded a 29% increase, private room rentals a 28% rise and hotels a 5.7% increase. These figures demonstrate growing demand and present an opportunity to showcase the local historical and artistic heritage.
A practical invitation
Come and choose your own route. Each church tells a different story about Pordenone. Bring your curiosity and plenty of time: you can stop wherever you feel like it, or visit all three sites in a single day. The guides will accompany you, providing clear and informative explanations. For further information, please email visiteguidatepn@gmail.com.
Sistema Museale di Pordenone — Galleria Harry Bertoia