Feltre

Municipality

Piazzetta delle Biade, 1 (Palazzo Pretorio) 
Feltre (BL) – 32032

 

Luogo di timbratura del Lasciapassare incluso nel kit “Viaggio nel tempo”:

Tourist information office

Piazza Maggiore, 21

IAT FELTRE

Historical overview

Originally developed on Capre Hill and later expanded at its foot during the Roman era, Feltre experienced significant growth on its south side, outside the city walls. According to tradition, Alboin, king of the Lombards, founded its castle on the highest part of the hill in the 6th century, on the site of a former Roman watchtower. The construction of the walls began in 1179 when Bishop Drudo da Camino intervened to move the city to a higher location to protect it from Treviso, which sought control of the roads to the north. By 1220, it is likely that the walls had already been built. Between 1488 and 1502, under Venetian rule, the city was further reinforced with an imposing new wall built close to the medieval one. However, the new defences did not save the city from being destroyed and conquered by the Habsburg troops of Maximilian I. After the imperial forces were driven out in 1512, the Venetians rebuilt the walls.

City itinerary

The city tour begins in Piazza Cambruzzi (lit. Cambruzzi Square), an important site, as it represents, along with the Tezze and the Ognissanti districts, one of the medieval parts situated outside the 12th-century walls. Here you will find the Cathedral with its adjacent Baptistery and the archaeological site below, which can be accessed from the churchyard. The Scalinata Vittore da Cesana (lit. Vittore da Cesana staircase) then leads to Campo Giorgio (lit. Giorgio Square), in front of Porta Pusterla (lit. Pusterla Gate). This gate was opened in the late 15th century to connect the fortified village with the extra moenia area of the Cathedral, and it is squeezed between the counter-walls of the Venetian Renaissance. To the left, you can see a ‘tower-house’: the alignment of the buildings constructed after the War of Cambrai stands on the site of the ancient walls. As you climb the long, porticoed staircase, you can take a short detour to the left along the Percorso della Sentinella (lit. Sentinel’s Path), which runs above the Venetian walls dating back to the end of the 15th century. Continue up the staircase, passing the entrance to the ancient Venetian prisons, which can also be visited. You will then reach Piazzetta delle Biade (lit. Biade Square), where you will find the Town Hall, which houses the Sala degli Stemmi (lit. the Emblem Room), and the Palazzo della Ragione (lit. the Palace of Reason), where you can visit the Teatro della Sena (lit. Sena Theatre). You will then reach Piazza Maggiore (lit. the Main Square), characterised by the 16th-century Church of Sts. Rocco and Sebastian, the Fontane Lombardesche (lit. the Lombard Fountains), and the Torre dell’Orologio (lit. the Clock Tower): this ancient gateway leads via Via Ramponi to the Castle above, dominated by the donjon known as Torre del Campanon (lit. Tower of the Big Bell). Heading towards Via Luzzo, which is characterised by a series of frescoed houses, you will find Porta Oria (lit. Oria Gate), which used to close off the eastern side of the walls. Also worth a visit is the Gothic Chiesa della Ss. Trinità (lit. Church of the Holy Trinity), built on the perimeter of the medieval walls where the Torre della Rosa (lit. the Rose Tower) once stood. Return to Piazza Maggiore and continue to the adjacent Piazzetta della Legna (lit. the Wood Square), where you will find the neo-Gothic Palazzo Guarnieri (lit. Guarnieri Palace) on the corner. Here, you can admire the 16th-century Monte di Pietà (the ancient Pawnshop) at the intersection with the Salita Muffoni (lit. Muffoni rise). It is worth noting that Bernardino Tomitano, the founder of this institution, was from Feltre. Further along in Via del Paradiso, you will find the ‘C. Rizzarda’ Modern Art Gallery on the right. Cross Via Da Romagno and descend into the parallel Via Mezzaterra. Walk to the right and admire the noble, frescoed buildings that line it. A short ascent to the right will lead you to Via Cornarotta, which is dominated by the imposing old Vescovado (lit. the old Bishop’s Palace). This building is now home to the Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra (lit. Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art) and was rebuilt in the 16th century on the site of the 13th-century Castello dei Vescovi (lit. Bishops’ Castle). The building has a polygonal layout and extends as far as Via del Paradiso, where Palazzo de’ Mezzan (lit. de’ Mezzan Palace) now stands. Return to Via Mezzaterra and continue to the end to arrive in front of the 16th-century Porta Imperiale (lit. the Imperial Gate), located at the south-west corner of the city walls. From there, you can return to the car park by following Via Garibaldi.

Places of Interest

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