Places to visit in Treviso

Treviso Airport is quite well known as the smaller airport of Venice, and is found approximately 3km, or 1.8 miles from Treviso and 20km from Venice. It is otherwise referred to as the Treviso-Sant’Angelo Airport, or as the Treviso Venice Airport, and has the official code of TSF. Although many of the few million passengers who use the airport head for the attractions of Venice, there are a number of tourists who are interested in Treviso attractions, since that the city has it’s own unique charm, and a peaceful, but enticing atmosphere. The attractions of Treviso include it’s waterways, the old town area, interesting museums and graceful church buildings.

Treviso is an attractive city to the north of Venice, Italy, and boasts a population of around 80,000 inhabitants. Due to it’s close proximity to Venice, it is often passed by as a place of tourist interest, but those who do pass through fall in love with it’s tranquil nature. Treviso is certainly worth a day trip, and often makes an excellent base from where the rest of the Veneto region, including Venice, can be explored. Similar to many other Italian cities, Treviso has an town centre which is of historical interest. After much damage was sustained during World War Two, the town centre of the city was rebuilt and restored, and is now a wonderful rambling maze of streets which can easily be explored on foot. The streets are lined with arcaded walkways, and there are fragments of the painted frescoes which were once a main feature of Treviso houses. The Piazza dei Signori is the heart of Treviso, and can be reached from the railway station in about a five to ten minute walk. Follow the signs to the ‘centro’, and then enjoy some time to eat at one of the lovely cafés which line the pleasant square. The historic town hall, known as the Palazzo deil Trecento, is also found in this area.

Treviso, similar to Venice, is a city that places much importance in it’s attractive waterways. Just south of the city centre runs the River Sile, and there are many canals which carry water around the city. The rivers of the city are lined with houses, grassy banks, waterwheels and small parks, which make for some very attractive walks or boat rides. Many wonderful sights of medieval buildings reflecting in the waters have been enjoyed by visitors in Treviso.

Historic Treviso attractions include the city walls which were built to defend the past inhabitants. The imposing gateways are quite an impressive sight, and there is a moat which is quite interesting. The walls of the city are almost four kilometres in length, and were mainly constructed in the 1500’s. The moat was created once the walls were complete, by diverting water from the rivers Sile and Cagnan. There are two monumental gates, one in the north known as the San Tommaso Gate and one to the west, known as the Santi Quaranta Gate. Both are surmounted with the winged lion of Saint Mark.

Religious buildings of note in Treviso include The Duomo, with a Neoclassical appearance, but a church which really dates to much further back in history. It features a crypt from the twelve century, an altarpiece by Titian, amongst other works of art and history. A Baptistery is found next to The Duomo, with frescoes of a Byzantine influence, and this building was completed in the 11th century. Perhaps even more appealing, is the Chiesa di San Francesco, a church with an impressive roof structure and some wonderful decorations from medieval times. This church is from the thirteenth century, and it contains the tomb of Dante Aligheri’s sons. San Nicolò is another religious building with beautifully painted frescoes from the fourteenth century, and is a large Dominican church. Behind the central Piazza dei Signori there is a complex of medieval churches, known as Santa Lucia and San Vito. Frescoes by Tommaso da Modena are found here, along with many other impressive art works. These two churches make up one of the most interesting of the city’s religious areas.

Treviso attractions include a number of museums, each with their own collections of interesting items. The town museum is now referred to as the Museo Bailo, whereas before it was the Museo Civic, and it has a remarkable collection of ancient bronze relics. The items on display, some of which date back as far as the fifth century, include swords, ritualistic disks and Roman remains. There are also a few art works in the museum, created by Titian, Tiepolo and Tintoretto. The former convent of Santa Caterina is now home to the Museum of Santa Caterina, and it features more impressive frescoes by Tommaso da Modena. His ‘Storie di S. Orsola’ is one of the famous fresco cycles here, and it tells the story of Saint Ursula, the King of England’s Catholic daughter. She became a well known martyr in Cologne. This museum also hosts regular art and archaeology exhibits.

Treviso offers a comprehensive schedule of festivals and events which take place throughout the year. In March, the Treviso Marathon is run from Vittorio Vene to Treviso, finishing in the central Piazza dei Signori, and there are various performances and concerts along the way to entertain spectators. The ‘Primavera del Prosecco’ Wine Festival is a big occasion of the towns in the upper Marca Trevigiana, and is an excellent opportunity to sample the gems of Treviso’s wine industry. In August there is the ‘Artigianato Vivo’ Craftspeople Festival, and in September, the International Chamber Music Festival is enjoyed. Further events include the International Mulitvision Festival,, the Prealpi Bike-Run Marathon, the International Guitar Festival, the Combai Chestnut Festival in October and the International Organ Festival.

All further details regarding Treviso attractions can be found at the tourist information desk in Treviso Airport, or from the main tourist information office in the little Piazza Monte di Pietà, just behind Piazza dei Signori.