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LA CITTA' in BREVE
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Vittorio Veneto is pleasantly positioned in the foothills of the Prealps and its green hills are well set off by imposing mountains that lead you down over the spur of the Cansiglio and onto the plain.
The mild climate and its natural and artistic charm, combined with the interest aroused by its earlier and more recent history, make this town one of the most impressive in the Veneto.
The town owes its existence to the merging of two old towns: Serravalle, to the north, where, interspersed with its beautiful houses, the remains of wall sand towers can be seen (this where built in medieval times as a defence against invasion by the Barbarians), and Ceneda to the south, part of which stretches onto the plain and part of which is built on the surrounding hills.
A large square with a war memorial, the work of Augusto Murer, overlooking the town hall, and a pleasant garden adorned with flowers and beautiful fountains constitute the centre of Vittorio Veneto.
The imposing Castello di S.Martino overlooks Ceneda. This castle, of Longobard origin, was originally the domain of the religious and aristocratic leaders that held sway there for centuries and which is now the present episcopal seat.
In the squared named after Giovanni Paolo I, embellished by a beautiful 16th-century fountain, can be seen the 18th-century cathedral with a 13th-century bell-tower, the elegant Loggia, once Palazzo della Comunitą, the work of Jacopo Sansovino, which houses the Museo della Battaglia ( a collections of documents and relics from the First World War), and the Palazzo del Seminario, containing the Museo Diocesano d'Arte Sacra.
Various churches in Ceneda, such as S.Maria del Meschio, contain valuable works of art, among which there is the marvellous "Annunciation" by Andrea Previtali.
Coming back up towards Serravalle from Ceneda, you can see the 14th century church of S.Andrea di Bigonzo which is well worth a visit on account of its 15th and 16th-century frescoes.
Serravalle has one of the best-preserved town centres in the area. Its main thoroughfare, the old Calgranda, is Via Martiri della Libertą, arcaded and lined with fine Renaissance buildings.
Amongst these, the very important 16th-century palazzo Minucci-De Carlo is worthy of mention; it houses collections of artwork, furniture, carpets and tapestries and is now open to visitors.
The 14th-century hospital building, which is no longer in use, is also of great interest with the adjoining Church of S.Lorenzo, decorated with early 15th-century frescoes attributed to various Veneto masters.
At the end of via Martiri is the picturesque Piazza Flaminio where the Loggia Serravallese stands. Built in the 15th-century as the seat of government of the Comunitą, it is now a home for the Museo del Territorio Cenedese, which has gathered together archaeological finds, coats of arms of powerful dignitaries and various paintings and sculptures.
Beyond the square, where the clear water of the river Meschio flows pleasantly by, beneathy the rocky spur where the Santuario di S.Augusta stands, the large 18th-century Duomo can be seen. The interior is embellished by an altar-piece by Tiziano Vecellio.
After walking up the steep via Roma, you go out of the old North Gate and onto the road towards Cadore. On the road can be seen the 14th-century church of S.Giovanni with impressive cloisters and an abundance of frescoes.
But the most remarkable work of art lies slightly further ahead in the church of S.Giustina: it is the memorial to Rizzardo VI da Camino, a Gothic-style sarcophagus held by four warriors at prayer, dating back several centuries.
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A.P.T. di TV - Ufficio I.A.T. di V.V.
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