{"id":34162,"date":"2021-09-07T19:57:34","date_gmt":"2021-09-07T17:57:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bellitalie.org\/?post_type=destination&p=34162"},"modified":"2026-10-14T12:38:07","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T10:38:07","slug":"castelfranco-veneto","status":"publish","type":"destination","link":"https:\/\/www.bellitalie.org\/en\/destination\/veneto\/castelfranco-veneto\/","title":{"rendered":"Castelfranco Veneto"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Castelfranco<\/a><\/span>A small fortified town of about 33,000 inhabitants (in 2021), Castelfranco Veneto<\/strong> has preserved beautiful ramparts.
It was founded by the city of Treviso<\/strong> in 1195, located 25 km away, as a fortified stronghold to protect itself from the rival cities of Padua<\/strong> and Vicenza<\/strong>. Noble families were settled there, exempt from taxes and duties (hence the franco, franche, of Castelfranco). From 1339 onward, a long period of several centuries began during which Castelfranco remained under Venetian rule.
It is also known as the birthplace of the painter Giorgione (1477-1510).<\/p>\n

What to see in Castelfranco<\/h2>\n
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  • The historic center is still protected by its medieval walls<\/strong>, almost square at nearly 230 meters per side, with its corner towers and its water-filled moat. The gate facing the road to Treviso is the most important, with the clock and the Lion of Saint Mark (1499) crowned by an 18th-century bell tower.<\/li>\n
  • The cathedral<\/strong> preserves the famous Madonna Enthroned with Child<\/i>, a panel painting by Giorgione (1505) in the Costanzo Chapel, as well as frescoes by Jacopo Da Bassano, Veronese and Palma il Giovane.<\/li>\n
  • The Civic Tower<\/strong> (Torre Civica) can be visited on weekends and during exhibitions.<\/li>\n
  • The Casa Giorgione museum<\/strong>, a Gothic building, is dedicated to the history of Castelfranco and to the famous painter.<\/li>\n
  • The small Teatro Accademico<\/strong> is an elegant historic theater.<\/li>\n
  • Near the center, the Villa Bolasco<\/strong> (16th-18th century) can be visited on weekends, along with its superb park.<\/li>\n
  • Outside the walls, the large market square Piazza Giorgione is lined with arcades and pleasant bars.<\/li>\n
  • In Fanzalo<\/strong>, 8 km from Castelfranco, the Villa Emo<\/strong> is a remarkable work by Andrea Palladio, typical of a country villa, with superb interior decorations such as the frescoes by Zelotti depicting episodes drawn from mythology and Roman history, as well as family stories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Gallery<\/h2>\n\n\t\t