Castelfranco Veneto

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Comune di Castelfranco Veneto
Coat of arms of Comune di Castelfranco Veneto
Municipal coat of arms

Location of Castelfranco Veneto in Italy
Country Flag of Italy Italy
Region Veneto
Province Treviso (TV)
Mayor Maria Gomierato
Elevation 42 m (138 ft)
Area 50.93 km² (20 sq mi)
Population (as of 31-12-2006 (ISTAT))
 - Total 33,048
 - Density 649/km² (1,681/sq mi)
Time zone CET, UTC+1
Coordinates 45°40′0″N, 11°56′0″E
Gentilic Castellani
Dialing code 0423
Postal code 31033
Frazioni Treville, Salvarosa, Salvatronda, Bella Venezia, Campigo, Sant'Andrea oltre il Muson, Villarazzo, San Floriano di Campagna.
Patron Saint Liberalis
 - Day 27 April
Website: http://www.comune.castelfranco-veneto.tv.it/

Castelfranco Veneto is a town and comune of Veneto, northern Italy, in the province of Treviso, 25 km by rail from the town of Treviso. It is approximately 40 km inland from Venice.

Contents

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 La 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 are planned 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

[edit] Cultural activities

  • Oficina di Buenaventura, Castelfranco Veneto

[edit] References