Palmanova

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Palmanova (Friulian: Palme) is a town in northeastern Italy, close to the border with Slovenia. It is located 20 km from Udine, 28 km from Gorizia and 55 km from Trieste.

Palmanova is famous for its fortress-like plan and structure, imitated in the Modern era by numerous military architects.

History

On October 7, 1593, the superintendent of the Republic of Venice founded a revolutionary new kind of settlement: Palmanova. The city’s founding date commemorated the victory of European forces (supplied primarily by the Venetian republic) over Ottoman Turks in the Battle of Lepanto. October 7 also celebrated Saint Justina, chosen as the city’s patron saint. Using all the latest military innovations of the 16th century, this tiny town was a fortress in the shape of a nine-pointed star, designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi. In between the points of the star, ramparts protruded so that the points could defend each other. A moat surrounded the town, and three big, guarded gates allowed entry. This general design is referred to as a star fort.

The outer line of fortifications was completed under the Napoleonic domination. From 1815 to 1866 the city was under Austria, and was annexed 50 years later to Italy together with Veneto and the western Friuli.

In 1960 Palmanova was declared national monument.

Main sights

• The three monumental gates Porta Udine, Porta Cividale and Porta Aquileia.
• The Piazza Grande, to which all the main edifices of the city open, built in Istrian stone.
• The Cathedral (1615-1636), by Baldassarre Longhena, is the main example of Venetian architecture in Friuli. It includes a canvas of St. Barbara with Saints by Padovanino.

Transportation

Palmanova can be reached from the near higways A23 (Udine-Tarvisio) and A4 (Turin-Trieste).

References