The Winsome Locations of The Painted City – Treviso
The Painted City of Treviso (Italian: Città Pittoresca di Treviso) is a historic town in the northern Italian region of Veneto, northwest of Venice. Located on the banks of the Piave River, it’s famous for its colorful buildings dating back to the 14th century, when they were painted white and given elaborate facades in order to impress visitors from Venice who would come to trade along the river. Today these winsome locations are treasured by locals and tourists alike.
La Misericordia Church
If you’re looking for things to do in Treviso, La Misericordia Church is a great option. There are many beautiful places inside and outside the church that are worth seeing. Visitors can marvel at the architecture and art on display inside the church as well as see it from different angles outside. Visitors will also have a chance to explore the town and enjoy some natural beauty while they’re there!
They’ll be able to walk around the countryside or visit museums such as the Civic Museum housed in Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, which has an art collection spanning 500 years with over 6000 works. Another attraction is Villa di Negrar where one can find a large garden, chapel, library and parkland.
For those who want to stay indoors instead of venturing out into the world, there’s always more exploring to be done in the indoor exhibits like at Cucine dell’800 (Kitchens from the 1800s) or Filippo Lippi’s Life-cycle of Human Life painting at Scuola Luzzati. Whatever your interests may be when it comes to history or culture; there’s something here for everyone!
Piazza dei Signori
A beautiful place full of things to do, natural beauty, and architecture, the Piazza dei Signori is a must-see when visiting Treviso. The piazza is home to many historical buildings, including the Palazzo dei Trecento, the Loggia dei Cavalieri, and the Palazzo del Podestà. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes to enjoy while taking in the sights. There’s also the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta at one end of the square, with its glorious baroque interior. Visitors can take part in musical performances or comedy shows on select evenings as well.
A visit to the Tullio Marcon Pavilion is another great idea for those looking for an art fix. It hosts changing exhibitions by contemporary artists every six months, so you’ll never run out of new works to see here!
Another great destination is the Canova Museum where visitors can learn about Antonio Canova’s life and work, but even more importantly view his sculptures which have been deemed among some of Italy’s most iconic pieces of art ever created.
The Porta Cavalleggeri
This picturesque location is one of the most iconic in Treviso. The ancient gate was built in 13th century and has withstood the test of time. It’s a beautiful example of medieval architecture and is a popular spot for tourists to take photos. The Porta Cavalleggeri is also a popular spot for weddings, as it’s said to be good luck to get married here. If you’re ever in Treviso, be sure to check out this stunning location!
This part-medieval, part-Renaissance building houses the city council chambers and bell tower. You can see it from any point in town and because of its prominent position on top of hill, locals have dubbed it La Balza or the overlook.
Palazzo Donà: Located just outside of Treviso’s historic center lies Palazzo Donà. An elegant Renaissance palace that now houses one of the city’s museums, but back in its day was used by noble families like Giacomo Medici (founder of what we know today as Italy) who used it to conduct business on behalf of his people. Be sure to visit when you come through town!
In addition to being a great photo opportunity and a historical treasure, locals flock here every Thursday evening for open-air summer concerts.
San Rocco Basilica
The San Rocco Basilica is one of the most beautiful and interesting places in Treviso. Located in the heart of the city, this church is a must-see for any visitor. The basilica was built in the 13th century and has been beautifully preserved. The interior is decorated with stunning frescoes, and the exterior is adorned with intricate sculptures. If you’re looking for a breathtaking place to explore, be sure to add the San Rocco Basilica to your list!
A number of restaurants have found success with an intriguing mix of local produce and international flavors. The area also features many amazing gelato shops which are the perfect spot for dessert after exploring the sights around town. For more delicious food options head over to Via dei Tribunali where there are plenty of good choices available!
Treviso may be small but it’s packed full of charm, so when you visit this picturesque city make sure that you find time to visit all these amazing locations while you’re here!
For a relaxing dinner with friends or family head over to Hosteria Casanova. Their food is absolutely delicious and their menu is filled with local and international favorites.
Castelfranco
In the heart of the Veneto region, between the cities of Venice and Florence, lies the town of Castelfranco. This small town is home to a number of notable attractions, including the Gothic-style Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, the Palazzo dei Diamanti (a diamond-shaped Renaissance palace), and the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. But what makes Castelfranco truly unique is its painted city walls.
These murals were created by a local artist in the early 20th century and depict scenes from both Italian history and mythology. They are truly a sight to behold! Here you can find depictions of Moses leading his people out of Egypt, as well as various biblical tales such as Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. There are also many other historically themed paintings: Helen of Troy saving her child by flying away on a horse with Hermes and Ganymede; William Tell rescuing his son from death; Christopher Columbus discovering America; Francis I receiving Columbus’s report while standing next to an open globe; even Pietro Bembo dressed up like Dante Alighieri!
I always make it a point to stop at these awesome landmarks when I’m in the area. I highly recommend that you do too!
San Francesco
Situated in the very heart of the city, this ancient church is one of the most iconic and important buildings in Treviso. With its beautiful facade and stunning interior, it’s no wonder that San Francesco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city. Though there are many other churches to visit in the area (including San Vito, Madonna della Pietà and Santa Margherita), if you only have time for one then make sure it’s this one!
When inside the building itself, it’s impossible not to be wowed by both the ceilings and flooring, but be careful not to get too distracted as there are some fascinating works of art on display too. A particular highlight is Benvenuto di Giovanni da Bologna’s monumental ‘Lamentation over Jesus’ painting which hangs above the altar; while far more recent paintings can also be found on display such as Lorenzo Lotto’s ‘Nativity’ which hangs above the entrance door.
It’s these sort of details that mean so much more when visiting an historic place like this one – even a simple moment spent in silence offers up plenty to see or appreciate!
City Walls and Gates
The city walls and gates of Treviso are some of the most beautiful and intriguing features of the city. They were built in the 13th century and have been carefully preserved. They are a great way to get a feel for the history of the city. Visitors can walk along them, or take a tour around the perimeter of the city. One unique feature is that they have parapets on both sides.
These serve as an observation point and also as a defensive position against enemies who may try to attack from outside the walls themselves. Walking alongside these medieval walls really does give you a sense of what life was like back then, with all the different houses jutting out into the streets at various angles. Some parts of the walls have staircases so you can climb up onto the top of them and see even more of the city.
It’s easy to imagine people living here centuries ago, going about their daily lives just as we do now. As I walked around it felt like I had stepped back in time; walking among those buildings made me feel small but part of something much bigger than myself.
