At 42 km from the resort of Lignano on the Adriatic coast of Italy is a small town of Palmanova, with a population of little more than five thousand people. In the 16th century this territory figuratively called "leopard skin": enclaves of the Republic of Venice is on the ground in Austria, and the latter imperial possessions - on the Venetian lands. In order to strengthen the defense of Friuli, the Venetians decided to build in the heart of the fertile plains of the fortress - it was supposed to protect against militant attacks Turks and curb the expansion of the Austrian Archduke. To implement this ambitious project was to assemble a team of talented engineers and architects. So, in October, the 1593rd year, was laid the first stone of a new fortress - Palma.

During the heyday of the Venetian Republic fortress it was equipped with two rows of fortifications, bastions and a moat, which was defended by three main entrances inside. Palmanova was originally conceived as a kind of war machine: the number of bastions and the length of the walls match the power of the weapons of those times.

In 1797, the year the Austrians occupied the fortress, but they were soon driven out the French. Then, after signing a peace treaty with Napoleon, Palmanova again moved to Austria for some time, but in 1805 the French reoccupied star city and built the third line of fortifications. In 1814, the castle changed owners once again become the property of the Habsburg dynasty. During the reign of the Austrians were built public theater Teatro Sociale, which became the focus of the Risorgimento movement - the struggle for the unification of Italy. However, part of Italy Palmanova became only in 1866, the year. A hundred years later, in 1960, President of the Italian Republic declared a fortress city national monument.

And today in Palmanova you can see the three majestic gates, erected in the 16th century. Main city square - Piazza Grande - has the shape of a regular hexagon in the center on the basis of the Istra stone towers standard - permanent witness and the symbol of the fortress and its history. In the same area facing facades of many historic buildings, including the cathedral - an amazing sample of Venetian architecture.

From museums Palmanova particularly stands out the city historical museum, introducing the history of the city and its surroundings. It also houses a rich collection of ancient weapons, brought here from the Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome.

In general, I must say that in Palmanova very difficult to list all the interesting sights. The city itself - this is a real museum, where every house, every street and the area have their own value. Starting from Porta Udine, from which you can see a huge wheel to lift the suspension bridge to the street Strada delle militia that runs along the old city walls, with its military garrison and artillery depots. Noteworthy and other neighborhoods that were once the military, and now, after careful restoration, turned into residential - Sant'Andrea and San Dzuane with its Venetian powder keg - the oldest building of Palmanova.