TREVISO: THE PROVINCE
The Province of Treviso borders with:
- the Province of Belluno to the north;
- the Province of Udine to the northeast;
- the Province of Venice to the southeast;
- the Province of Padua to the southwest; and
- the Province of Vicenza to the west.
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GEOGRAPHY
The Province of Treviso, also called the Marca Trevigiana, is almost entirely flat to the south and the centre where we find the small hills called Montello. To the north, however, the terrain is rather hilly and gradually rises.
The province of Treviso is considered the “Garden of Venice” for its serene beauty. In fact, it was a favoured vacation spot for the nobility of the Republic of Venice. From that era, we still have many marvelous villas scattered here and there with stupendous parks.
The plains of Treviso are indeed cultivated like a garden with lush vegetation everywhere. This is due to the many springs, aquifers, canals and rivers that are found here.
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THE RIVERS
The most important River is the Piave, which crosses the entire Province from northwest to southeast. Along its course, it divides into many branches that form small islands at some points.
The Musone River crosses the plains of Castelfranco Veneto.
The Sile River crosses through Treviso City and empties into the Lagoon of Venice.
There is also the Livenza River.
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THE HILLS AND MOUNTAINS
From a tourist point of view, the Hills of Treviso are rather interesting. They are fertile like the plains and have all type of cultivation. Their slopes are covered with vineyards. It is in this light and airy place that we find many of the splendid villas.
The Montello is not one mountain, but a series of hills and valleys, through which clear waters flow. Here we have dense vegetation of bushes, acacia trees and vines. This was the theatre of the great battle of June 1918.
The Colli Ascolani is a beautiful hill range near the Piave River. Small streets that lead to gracious neighbourhoods and solitary castles crisscross them. Many artists and writers preferred these hills.
The Colli di Valdobbiadene belong to the Pre-Alps mountain range. It is an area of rolling hills.
The mountains that rise from the Valle del Soligo are the steep southern slopes of the Pre-Alps of Belluno. They have pastures and thick forests of chestnut. Further north one finds the mountains of Vittorio Veneto whose highest peak is Col Visentin (1,761 m). The scenery gives the impression of entering an unknown area with hidden and solitary valleys.
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A TOUR OF THE PROVINCE OF TREVISO
Anywhere one visits the Marca Trevigiana, one will find pleasure and emotion. The pleasure is due to the natural and artistic attractions. The emotion is due to the fact that this province was a theatre of war during the Great War of 1914 – 1918.
Castelfranco Veneto: This is an ancient city with red walls surrounding the older part of the city. One can still see the old castle from 1199. The Duomo (church) has many works of art, some by Giorgione. There is also the Museo Civico to visit.
Riese Pio X: This is the birthplace of Pope Sarto (Pious X). The house where the Pontiff was born in 1835 is still standing.
Asolo: Thanks to its stupendous position on the Colli Asolani, it attracted famous people from every era.
Maser: Here we find one of the more beautiful villas in the entire Veneto Region: Villa Barbaro, built in the 1500’s by the great architect, Palladio. It houses frescoes by the great painter, Veronese.
Possagno: At the foot of the Monte Grappa, it is the home of the famous sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757 – 1821). Still standing is the birthplace of this artist, which also contains the models of almost his works in his workshop. One can also find the “Tempio del Canova” where his tomb, which he sculpted for himself, rests.
Il Monte Grappa: This mountain is sacred to the memory of many Italians due to the heroic battles fought here during 1917 – 1918.
Nervesa della Battaglia: Here one can find the grandiose Ossario Monumentale which contains the remains of over 10,000 fallen soldiers who fought in the Montello area during WWI.
Montebelluna: An important rail hub and industrial centre of ancient origins.
Valdobbiadene: On the foothills of the Pre-Alps, it is famous for its wines and hiking trails.
Vittorio Veneto: A City named after King Vittorio Emanuele II, it is famous for having given its name to the battle that concluded WWI with the victory of October 30, 1918.
Conegliano: A gracious and picturesque little city, it is an important commercial, industrial and wine making centre.
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FAMOUS PEOPLE FROM THE PROVINCE OF TREVSIO
Fortunato Venanzio, from Castelfranco Veneto (circa 530 – circa 606): Latin writer and Bishop of Poitiers
Giovanni Battista Cima, from Conegliano (1459 – 1517): Painter
Giorgione or Giorgio Barbarelli, from Castelfranco Veneto (1478 – 1510): One of the greatest painters during the Italian Renaissance
Bordone Paris, from Treviso City (1500 – 1571): Painter
Amalteo Pomponio, from Motta di Livenza (1505 – 1588): Painter
Antonio Canova, from Possagno (1757 – 1821): Sculptor
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TREVOSO CITY, CAPITAL OF THE PROVINCE
Treviso is situated in the middle of the flourishing Veneto Plains, at the confluence of the Botteniga and Sile Rivers. Many canals that originate from clear springs to the north of the City intersect it. The tall poplars and weeping willows along the riverbanks, in the midst of the greenery of the surrounding farmland make this a site to see for the visitor. “Treviso, that from its clear fountains is all a smile,” declared one visitor to the City in 1300.
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THE HISTORY OF TREVISO CITY
The prehistoric objects found here confirm that the origins of Treviso begin in the Bronze Age. It was perhaps the abundance of water that attracted people to this area. As part of the Roman Empire, it had the name “Tarvisium”. During the rule of the barbarians, it grew in importance. During the time of Charlemagne (742 – 814) it became the capital of a “Marca” or a region.
The most splendid period of the City is when it was a city-state (12th – 13th Centuries) when it extends its dominion to its furthest reach. It acquires many beautiful buildings and churches and becomes such a famous centre for festivals and shows of chivalry that it acquires the name of “Joyous and Loving Marca”. After several decades under the cruel tyranny of Ezzelino da Romano, the City regained its tranquillity under the benevolent rule of Gherardo da Camino. In 1389, it spontaneously joins the Republic of Venice and begins to enjoy a long period of peace, which was interrupted briefly in 1509 by a war with Massimiliano of Austria. In this century, the city surrounds itself with walls and decorates the façades of its buildings with beautiful paintings, which are still visible today. It follows the fate of the Serenissima (Venice) and in 1797 suffers defeat at the hands of Napoleon and is then ruled by the Austrians. On July 15, 1866, it is liberated from Austrian rule.
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TWO WORLD WARS
From May 1915 to November 1918, Italy fought a long and extenuating war against the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is in the Province of Treviso that many of the battles were fought and the outcome of the war was decided. With the disastrous loss at Caporetto in October 1917, the Austrians spread throughout the Veneto Region. After the epic battle on the Piave River in June 1918, the enemy suffered such enormous losses that it could not properly regroup. A short time later on October 24, 1918, the war ends with the battle of Vittorio Veneto. During this war, Treviso City suffers much damage due to air raids. During the Second World War it underwent even more destruction due to the bombing on Good Friday 1944. With the damage repaired, Treviso is replete with new construction and continues to grow and prosper.
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PRINCIPLE MONUMENTS AND BUILDINGS
From the train station and across the bridge over the Sile River, one finds the Church of San Nicolò. This is a gothic style building erected between the 12th and 14th Centuries. It has simple, bold forms which at the same time are majestic.
The Museo Civico is near the Porta dei Santi Quaranta. It houses an art gallery with works by Bellini, Lotto, Pordenone, Tiepolo and many others.
The Duomo (church) has medieval origins and is capped by seven cupolas and nearby, there is a Roman Baptistery.
Piazza dei Signori is the City centre. The buildings found here give a good impression as to how the City once was in medieval times. Here we can see the Palazzo dei Trecento, so named because it was the place where the Great Council met on the upper floor. The Council was made of three hundred people, half were noblemen, and the other half was made of commoners.
Nearby is the Palazzo del Governo from which soars the Torre del Comune and opposite to it is the palazzo Pretorio.
The Loggia dei Cavalieri is and ancient meeting place of the nobility.
The churches of San Vito and Santa Lucia are two medieval churches, which are rich in works of art.
The church of San Francesco goes back to the 13th Century and has majestic interiors with frescos by Tommaso and Modena.