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8 June 2017

Palmanova, a fortress city

8 June 2017
Daisy Angeli

Palmanova, a fortress city

Founded in 1593 by Venice to strengthen the defences in Friuli, when it decided to build a fortress in the centre of the Friulian plain, Palmanova is today a jewel of Friuli Venezia Giulia just 18 kilometres frrom Udine.

A unique town, it is also called the “star city” as it is effectively in the shape of nine-pointed star.

There are three monumental gates giving access to the town: Porta Udine, Porta Cividale and Porta Aquileia (the one shown in the video). They are the only buildings visible from the outside of the Fortress and still retain some of their original architectural features.

Entering the walls, you will come to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, also known as Piazza Grande, the hexagonal heart enhancing this starred Renaissance town.

You are here surrounded by a series of colourful noble palaces on one side, while on the other stands the imposing Duomo Dogale of Palmanova, whose façade is of white Istrian stone.

At the centre of the square, there is a tall pole for the town’s standard. Facing the square, there are numerous cafés and bars constituting the meeting place for citizens and tourists.

In my opinion, this is a must-see location for lovers of history.

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Daisy Angeli

I am 25 years old, and I am a cheerful girl with a great desire to learn. I’m dynamic, stubborn and too uncompromising with myself. I believe in the positive charge of the sun and in odd numbers. I love to read and underline the sentences that hit most with a pencil; I'm one of the few people who have not yet converted to an ebook, and I will never do!

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