Palmanova

Palmanova is a nine-point star-shaped fortress erected at the end of the 16th century by the Venetians to face the dreadful Turkish invasions and to check the hegemonic designs of the Austro-Hungarian empire. It is an inexpugnable stronghold, whose perfection lies in its perfect architectural symmetry and war efficiency. The project arose from an idea conceived by Giulio Savorgnan, a captain and military engineer of the Republic of Venice.
The city wall perimeter is a 18-side polygon divided into nine ramparts. Bonaparte furtherly increased the fortifications and renamed the city Palma la Nuova (Palma the New). Three gates, probably designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi, give access to the city: Aquileia gate (formerly Marittima gate), Udine gate and Cividale gate.
A main step to gain a good knowledge of the history of the city is a visit to the Civico Museo Storico (Civic Historical Museum) where documents about the history of the fortress and a collection of weapons (16th to 20th century) are shown. Another outstanding museum is the Historic Military Museum where documents, relics, collections of weapons and a complete general wiew on the garrisons on duty in Palmanova are exposed.
An undoubtedly interesting visit of the venetian and french fortifications can take place crossing ramparts, loggias, exit ramps, ravelins, underground communication trenches, gates and old barracks. Then, the palaces of the Governor-General (now City Hall) , the Arms Governor, the Pawnshop, the Cathedral Church an the loggias stand in the hexagonal central square, formerly named Piazza d’Armi (Drill-ground). [More Informations]