Castelfranco Veneto
| Castelfranco Veneto | ||
|---|---|---|
| Comune | ||
| Città di Castelfranco Veneto | ||
|
The western gate of the old historical centre. | ||
| ||
  Castelfranco Veneto Location of Castelfranco Veneto in Italy | ||
| Coordinates: 45°40′N 11°56′E / 45.667°N 11.933°ECoordinates: 45°40′N 11°56′E / 45.667°N 11.933°E | ||
| Country | Italy | |
| Region | Veneto | |
| Province | Treviso (TV) | |
| Frazioni | Treville, Salvarosa, Salvatronda, Bella Venezia, Campigo, Sant'Andrea oltre il Muson, Villarazzo, San Floriano di Campagna | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Luciano Dussin | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 50.93 km2 (19.66 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 42 m (138 ft) | |
| Population (31 August 2008)[1] | ||
| • Total | 33,407 | |
| • Density | 660/km2 (1,700/sq mi) | |
| Demonym(s) | Castellani | |
| Time zone | CET (UTC+1) | |
| • Summer (DST) | CEST (UTC+2) | |
| Postal code | 31033 | |
| Dialing code | 0423 | |
| Patron saint | Saint Liberalis | |
| Saint day | 27 April | |
| Website | Official website | |
Castelfranco Veneto (Venetian: Casteło) is a town and comune of Veneto, northern Italy, in the province of Treviso, 30 kilometres (19 miles) by rail from the town of Treviso. It is approximately 40 km (25 mi) inland from Venice.
History
The town originates from a castle built here by the commune of Treviso in the course of its strife against Padua (1195). In 1246 it was captured by Ezzelino IV da Romano, returning to Treviso after his death in 1259. In 1329 it was acquired by Cangrande I della Scala, lord of Verona. Ten years later, together with Treviso, it was handed over to the Republic of Venice, to which it belonged until 1797. Castelfranco then followed the history of Veneto.
Main sights
The older part of the town is square, surrounded by medieval walls and towers constructed by the people of Treviso in 1211 (see Cittadella). The massive castle is noteworthy.
Castelfranco Veneto was the birthplace of the painter Giorgione, and the Cathedral (1723) contains one of his finest works, the Madonna with St. Francis and Liberalis (1504), but more commonly called Pala del Giorgione. In the background, the towers of the old town may be seen. The painting was being restored in Venice, Italy; however, ceremonies were held for the return of 'La Pala' near the end of 2005.
The Cathedral itself was designed by Francesco Maria Preti, over an ancient Romanesque church. Other artpieces include seven fragments of frescoes by Paolo Veronese.
Transport
Castelfranco Veneto railway station, opened in 1877, is a junction of three railway lines, the Trento–Venice railway, the Vicenza–Treviso railway and the Calalzo–Padua railway, respectively. As such, it is one of the busiest railway junctions in Veneto.
People born in Castelfranco Veneto
- Tina Anselmi (born 1927), politician and prominent member of the Italian resistance movement
- Paola Drigo (1876–1938), writer
- Giorgione (1477–1510), painter
- Agostino Steffani (1654–1728), composer
Twin towns
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Castelfranco Veneto". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
External links
Media related to Castelfranco Veneto at Wikimedia Commons