Why was a city built in the shape of a star? And why right here, in the heart of the Friulian plain?

Palmanova is not a city like any other: it is a military, political and urban planning project conceived in 1593 by the Serenissima, designed to defend the eastern borders of Venice and, at the same time, to represent the idea of the perfect city.

The tour starts from the geometric heart of the fortress: the Cathedral and the spectacular Piazza Grande, a hexagonal square from which streets open out straight like rays. Here, every space had a specific function: religious, civil, or military power. Nothing was random.

Walking among the ancient buildings of the administrators and the military, we will discover how a city that was created primarily for defence lived, what secrets its design concealed, and why Palmanova was considered a perfect war machine.

The route then continues towards Porta Udine, the aqueduct area, the bastions, and the outer fortifications, where the city shows its most strategic and surprising face. Amid walls, greenery, and unexpected perspectives, we will also arrive at a small waterfall, a picturesque spot that makes the route even more special.

A tour to discover Palmanova not only as a beautiful walled city, but as a great geometric enigma created to protect Venice.

Places visited: Piazza Grande, Palazzo del Provveditore, Cathedral of the Santissimo Redentore, Palazzo del Ragionato, Porta Udine, Bastione Barbaro, Waterfall

Meeting point: In front of the entrance to the Cathedral of the Santissimo Redentore, Piazza Grande, 11A, 33057 Palmanova UD, Italy

Duration of the tour: 90 minutes

All our guided visits are conducted by licensed tour guides.

Please arrive 10 minutes before the start of the tour. The tours start with the utmost punctuality.