The capital of Treviso province, in Veneto region, Treviso is usually missed by tourists hot footing it to Venice. More fool them - this is a lovely old city, predating the Roman occupation and later assimilation by mighty Venice. Its early medieval importance is evidenced by the wealth of Gothic churches and fine public buildings. There is an attractive walled old town, and the appearance of the city rather belies the pounding it took in Allied raids towards the end of World War II - much of the city was rebuilt, so seamlessly that you have to look close to see the joins.
Sights include the late Romanesque church of San Francesco (1231-1270); the Loggia dei Cavalieri (meeting rooms built in 1276); and the Piazza dei Signori with the Palazzo di Podesta (15th century). A must-see is the 13th century Chiesa San Nicolo, not just for its superb mix of 13th century Venetian Romanesque and French Gothic architecture, but for its superb fresco cycle by Tommaso da Modena: these depict variously St Romuald, St Agnes and the Redemptor and St Jerome in His Study.
Other essential sights are the Romanesque Duomo (cathedral); the Piazza Rinaldi from the 12th and then 15th century; the Monte di Pieta and the Cappella dei Rettori, the former built to house Jewish moneylenders. See too the Ponte di Pria, or Stone Bridge, at the meeting of the Canal Grande and the Buranelli canals. Modern Treviso is an affluent industrial base, the home town of Benetton and DeLonghi.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Treviso hotels.
