Palmanova and Treviso Italy

Travelled:148km

Stay:Treviso - free motorhome and service area N45.6701 E12.2577 (€6.20 toll from Palmanova)

Visited:Palmanova (40mins, €3.60 toll,free parking N45.9067 E13.3146)

We spent the morning exploring Palmanova which has been described as a masterpiece of military architecture. The fortified structure is best admired from the air, so here is a photo from the web to give an idea of its 9 pointed star shape of three defensive circles. 

It was founded in 1593 when it was part of Venice to defend them against the Habsburgs. We drove through one of the three remaining fortress gates. 

We walked to the huge hexagonal piazza grande found in the middle of the town and we enjoyed an Italian cappuccino and filled croissants in one of the numerous cafes.

In the centre there were smaller replicas of the machines that were used to build the defensive walls.

We also popped in to have a look at the cathedral de Palma Mallorca. 

We then walked around part of the town following the moat back to the motorhomes. 

Our next destination was to be Treviso which is also a defensive town but with a different character. 

There were canals and a river running around and through the town.

 There was a fish market on a little island in the middle of Sile River with a statue of a mermaid in the water. 

It had attractive balconied houses and large arcades.

We also discovered that Prosecco wine was originally produced here and it is the birthplace of the Tiramisu! We ended up having gelato instead though

Also there were some lovely piazzas and narrow alleyways to explore. Every corner had another surprise which we uncovered. 

 The duomo was an impressive structure with its 5 huge green domes. 

A storm was brewing so we decided to beat the rain and walked back along the defensive wall.