Since the time of the Roman Empire, this morainic amphitheatre has been a crossroad and key area for the control of the roads leading from Italy, then as now, to the Danube in Europe. From the initial first watchtowers, during the centuries of the Middle Ages, it evolved to increasingly imposing castle complexes. The need to control the transit routes, which were travelled by those who, from East to North, aspired to penetrate the Po Valley, led to a wise dislocation on the territory of the fortified strongholds: an architectural heritage still consistent today, despite the numerous losses suffered in the past due to wars and natural disasters.

The "Strada dei Castelli e dei Sapori" (The Castle Route and Flavours) is a route that winds for about 90 kilometres through gentle hills and small villages in the Friuli Collinare area. It connects the castles, villages and historic villas with the production and tasting places of San Daniele del Friuli prosciutto, Fagagna cheese, San Daniele del Friuli trout and other typical flavours of the territory. Walking along the circuit means getting in touch with the culture, history and lifestyles of these places in a highly suggestive environmental and naturalistic context. What follows is a suggestion, an open itinerary to be covered on foot, by bike, motorbike or car, which offers the possibility of countless variations.