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TrevisoLocated halfway between Venice and the Dolomites of Belluno, Treviso is a lesser known but very charming place crossed by the Sile river. According to the history of Treviso, the first settling sprang up where today is the Chirch of St Andrea before the Romans arrived; it is exactly with the Roman Empire that Treviso became an important trade centre getting the Roman citizenship and the name of "Tarvisium ". When the Roman Empire collapsed, the city underwent a long series of barbarian invasions (Visigoths, Huns, Ostrogoths, Goths and Lombards). Then, during the year 1000, a process of growth began and it led Treviso to become a city-republic town. Unfortunately the interminable battles between Guelphs and Ghibellines. The head of Guelphs became seignior of Treviso in 1283 and governed it, obtaining the reputation of being courageous and kind (Dante Alighieri mentioned him in the Purgatory). Throughout the fourteenth century, the city passed under several rules, until 1389, when the locals submitted voluntarily to Venice, which guaranteed a long period of peace and prosperity. Treviso shared with Venice the destiny of the Republic of Serenissima until 1797, when Napoleon conquered it. The city passed under the Austrians, the to the Kingdom of Italy (1805), and again to Austria (1813). In 1848, it supported Venice in the famous revolution against the Austrians, even though it had to surrender in June the 14th. The Austrian domination lasted until 1866, when the Italian 'bersaglieri' freed Treviso. Unfortunately the cruel bombing between the two World Wars, destroyed a great part of the city, that has gradually gone back to the ancient splendour. Enclosed by the sixteenth-century town walls, the picturesque porticoed houses in Treviso (from 1400-1500) almost fully preserve the late Gothic and Renaissance outer frescoes. The visit of the city must start indeed from Piazza dei Signori, beautiful square surrounded by some of the most important monuments in town, such as Palazzo dei Trecento (that preserves evoking frescoes and decorations) the Torre Civica and Palazzo della Prefettura. Piazza dei Signori Going across the Portico of Soffioni, you will get into the characteristic Piazzetta del Monte di Piet', where in the XIV century it was installed the "monte dei Pegni" (the pawnshop): inside you will admire the Chapel of Rettori, one of the city's pride, with frescoes made by Fiumicelli, paintings Pozzoserrato and precious golden leathers from Cordoba. In the nearby Piazza St Vito rise two lovely churches, respectively dedicated to St Lucia and St Vito (linked together through a door), composing a very original complex, which is plenty of relevant artistic documents. Continue towards the Canale dei Buranelli (one of the symbols of the city) and from here to Piazza Rinaldi, finally arriving - after several noteworthy urban environments – to the Church of St Francesco. The building, erected in the fourteenth century along with the annexed cloister and convent, exhibits a sober and elegant beauty, while the interiors have been used to home the graves of Francesco Petrarca's daughter and Dante Alighieri's son, and some other notable frescoes. Leaving St Francesco you can walk to Piazza del Grano, seat of the lively fish and fruit market, further loacl important meeting point. Going across Piazza San Parisio or other typical routes around, you will arrive to the Church of St Agostino: the only Baroque style edifice in town and from here to St Caterina (XIV-century church and cloister) today deconsecrated, where you will be able to admire the splendid Chapel of Innocents along with a cycle of frescoes representing the stories about St Orsola, painted by Tommaso da Modena. The latter was one of the maximum fourteenth-century painters, which left in Treviso many of his best works of art. From St Caterina you might reach the church of St Maria Maggiore, with the harmonious façade and from here go to Ponte Dante, then take the street to the Ospedale Vecchio and Piazza St Leonardo. Before gettig back to Piazza dei Signori, stop atr Loggia dei Cavalieri: the oldest civil building in Treviso. Another fascinating itinerary might be the one through the Calmaggiore (probable ancient Roman linking street), the noblest road in town, overlooked by beautiful seigniorial buildings. Then you will get to Piazza Duomo, where to visit the early-Christian XI-century baptistery, the Dome with the stunning cupolas and neoclassical façade. Inside have a look at the Crypt of 1100, the altar-piece by Titian and the frescoes by Pordenone. From Piazza Duomo you should walk to the "Canoniche" (another extremely fascinating area), where to visit the diocesan Museum in the magic scenery of Piazza Pola: you should take now other streets flanking ancient houses 'till the Church of St Nicolò, the richest and most imposing in town. Built in 1300 by the Order of the Dominican Friars, the church rises on three naves and preserves precious frescoes and paintings. The nearby convent shows the "Sala del Capitolo", where you can admire another cycle of frescoes by Tommaso da Modena. Treviso keeps important traces of the Roman civilization into the Civic Museum, while the flourishing Middle Ages (in 1200 the city was one of the main Italian centres for the Provençal culture) are witnessed by the marvellous buildings. The city got walled since the very beginning of its history, even if nowadays we can only admire the devices of the XVI-century walls of Fra' Giocondo, specially the stretch linking the monumental gates of St Quaranta and St Tomaso. Other towns in the area: Asiago, Asolo, Bassano del Grappa, Belluno, Burano, Chioggia, Dolo, Murano, Padua, Piombino Dese, Possagno, Venice, Verona, VicenzaYou might also be interested in reading about the following Treviso topics:
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