Palmanova

Infobox CityIT
img_coa = Palmanova.gif

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image_caption=Cathedral of Palmanova
official_name = Comune di Palmanova
region = Friuli-Venezia Giulia
province = Udine (UD)
elevation_m = 27
area_total_km2 = 13
population_as_of = December 31, 2004
population_total = 5413
mapx=46|mapy=13.32
name=Palmanova
population_density_km2 = 411
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|45|54|N|13|19|E
frazioni = Jalmicco, Sottoselva, San Marco
telephone = 0432
postalcode = 33057
gentilic =Palmarini
saint = St. Justina of Padua
day = October 7
mayor = Federico Cressati
website = [http://www.comune.palmanova.ud.it/ www.comune.palmanova.ud.it]

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 near the junction of the Autostrada Alpe-Adria (A23) and the Autostrada Venezia-Trieste (A4).

Palmanova is famous for its fortress plan and structure, called a star fort, 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.

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 a national monument.

Main sights

The cathedral

The cathedral is located in front of the town hall of Palmanova (formerly the "Palace of Provveditore"). Commissioned in 1603, the construction started later that year under Inspector Girolamo Cappello, and was completed in 1636. Who the architects were is uncertain, but may have been Vincenzo Scamozzi and Baldassare Longhena. The cathedral was not consecrated until 1777, after the town had been included into the Archbishopric of Udine.

The bell tower of the cathedral, erected in 1776, was deliberately made short because enemies attacking the city should not be able to see the cathedral from outside the city walls.

The niches in the facade contain statues representing the saints Justina, one of Padua's patron saints, and Mark, as well as a statue of Christ, the Redeemer. The facade itself is made of stone from Istria, and was restored in 2000.

Other

*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.

Transportation

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

References

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* [http://www.obromley.co.uk/web/concept/image_files/star_fort_pianta_it.jpgAerial picture (low res.)]