| THE WALLS OF TREVISO |
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The Walls presence dates back to the Roman period in the Treviso history.
The present vestiges are formed by a city walls extending for 4 km, largely by medieval (Porta Altinia), fifteenth-century
and sixteenth-century buildings, these last were raised to defend Treviso, the most important Venice bastion
in mainland, against Cambrai envoys. |
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Treviso was Roman town before being a municipal
town according to the history; it is located on the highest place of the centre where there are Piazza S. Andrea,
Piazza dei Signori and Piazza Duomo today, surrounded by the river Cagnan. Frà Giocondo da Verona, and then D’Alviano,
widened the old fortifications giving them the present look as earthwork, covered by a thick brick wall
from the outside. The hydraulic works began with impressive earth movements when the Walls were ended: not only
a canals perimeter was constructed around Treviso, but also
the possibility of flooding the near plain was got under way, thus the besiegers were made feel uneasy. |
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This is one of the most well-preserved bastions along Treviso Walls |
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| The canals, coming from the rivers Sile and Cagnan,
flow from the outside of the Walls yesterday and today and they flank many well-tended gardens. |
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The projects
by Frà Giocondo and by D’Alviano to safeguard the town contained both the demolition of all houses which
might obstruct the view of prospective enemy for a mile all around the town and the pulling down of all
civil and religious buildings which had impeded the circulation of military vehicles inside the walls.
The Treviso Walls, ended around 1510,
are decorated by an Istrian stone stringcourse placed at two thirds of the hightness as other northern
towns (Ferrara and so on). We may see up to now some beautiful bas-relieves set on brick face near the
main bastions (as Altinia Gate - Porta Altinia, St. Paul’s bastions - bastioni di San Paolo, bastions near Portello ...); they represent the
winged lion, symbol of the Venice power, which had controlled Treviso since 14th century. |
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The Treviso Walls near St. Forty Saints Gate (Porta Santi Quaranta) |
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| The Walls were a very effective defensive works and they perfomed so well their aim Treviso was set upon
no more; it was thought of turning the Walls in a tollgate in the second half of 19th century and
thus every town entrance by land or by river was watched and it was taxable. |
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 The winged lion symbol of Venice influence |
The Treviso Walls near Ponte di Pria |
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| The link between the town centre and the
outskirts was guaranteed by the only three Gates until the begin of the 20th century: Porta San
Tomaso northwards, Porta Santi Quaranta westwards and Porta Altinia southwards. |
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