Longobards in Italy: Places of Power (568–774 A.D.) () is seven groups of historic buildings that reflect the achievements of the Germanic tribe of the Lombards (also referred to as Longobards), who settled in Italy during the sixth century and established a Lombard Kingdom which ended in 774 A.D.
The groups comprise monasteries, church buildings, and fortresses and became UNESCO World Heritage Sites in June 2011 as they testify "to the Lombards' major role in the spiritual and cultural development of Medieval European Christianity".
Gastaldaga area and Episcopal complex at Cividale
The Gastaldaga area and the Episcopal complex at Cividale del Friuli (Province of Udine) includes: Area of the Gastaldaga, with the small Longobard temple. The small temple, which is currently the Oratory of Santa Maria in Valle, is the most important and the best preserved architectural testimony to the Longobard era. This is particularly important as it marks the coexistence of purely Longobard motives (as seen in the Fregi, for example) and is a revival of the classic models, creating a sort of refined uninterrupted continuation between classic art, Longobard art and Carolingian and Ottonian art. Episcopal complex which includes the remains of the Patriarch's Palace in the lower level of the National Archaeological Museum. The Callisto patriarch Episcopal complex is the main religious complex in the powerful Duchy of Friulis capital and includes the basilica, the San Giovanni Battista baptistery and the Patriarchal palace. The archaeological excavations only show a few traces of architectural work, but have allowed the recovery of some of the most refined artefacts and Longobard sculpture, such as the Baptismal Font of Patriarch Callisto and the Altar of Duke Rachis.
Monumental area with monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia at Brescia
The monumental area with the monastic complex of San Salvatore-Santa Giulia at Brescia includes the convent of Santa Giulia as well as the basilica of San Salvatore and the Roman Forum archaeological area.
Founded in 753 as a church for the convent by Desiderius, the Duke of Brescia and future king of the Longobards, and his wife Ansa, the convent of San Salvatore, characterised by the contemporary use of Longobard style and classic and ornate decorative motifs, is one of the better examples of Early Medieval religious architecture. Over the centuries it was modified many times and became part of the new Conventual complex, whose Church, dedicated to Santa Giulia, was finished in 1599.
To the west of the monastic complex is the monumental area consisting of the Capitolium, the republican sanctuary and the Roman theatre, closely linked with the stories about San Salvatore-Santa Giulia. The oldest religious building of the Roman forum dates back to the end of the first century BC. The exceptional level of conservation of the architectural and decorative aspects makes this archaeological area a unique example in northern Italy.
Castrum with Torba Tower and church outside the walls, Santa Maria foris portas, at Castelseprio
The castrum with the Torba Tower and the church outside the walls at Castelseprio (Province of Varese) includes the Torba Monastery, the Santa Maria foris portas church with its frescoes, and the ruins of the San Giovanni Evangelistic basilica. The Longobards turned the Castelseprio Castrum, which was previously a Roman military outpost and an Ostrogoth defensive bastion, firstly into a place for commerce and then into a monastery (8th century).
The monastery includes the tower, built by the Ostrogoths and re-adapted for monastic purposes by the Longobards, and also the little church named after the Virgin Mary. Only the ruins of the big Castelseprio Basilica remain, three naves with a central apse and absidium, however the Santa Maria foris portas has remained intact, including large parts of its apsidal frescoes, which are some of the largest murial paintings found from the entire period of the Early Middle Ages.