Palmanova is an ideal Renaissance city built as a fortress to defend Venice from attacks from the Balkans. Its original layout and stellar fortifications have been preserved to this day.
The city was founded in 1593 by the authorities of the Venetian Republic. Its design was entrusted to the architect and architecture theoretician Vincenzo Scamozzi. The purpose of building the city was to increase Venice's defenses by creating a modern fortress against attacks from the Balkans.
The fully preserved urban layout is Palmanova's greatest attraction. It looks like a nine-pointed star best seen from above. All the main streets radiate from Piazza Grande and the buildings are surrounded by bastions and a moat filled with water in the past.
Palmanova's plan corresponds to the idea of an ideal Renaissance city and is one of the best-preserved examples in Italy.
