The town of Treviso lies in the Veneto plain, about 30 km from Venice. Founded in very ancient times, urbanized in the Roman age, its Old Town has a mainly medieval layout, solidly laid starting from the 13th century. In the fourteenth century the town featured a lively cultural life, as documented by the significant presence of poets and literary figures. This environment contributed to the development of the visual arts. However, it was during the four centuries of Venetian rule that the signature appearance of Treviso earned it the moniker of urbs picta, due to the quantity and quality of the frescoed façades of the buildings in the Old Town. Unfortunately, this heritage has been partly lost, but it may still be discovered and admired by looking more carefully when strolling through town.
Today Treviso is a welcoming and quiet town, ideal to be explored on foot, with its alleys, porticoes, squares, the Sile river and tight maze of canals running along its streets, that create pleasant water soundscapes and add charm to the Old Town, enclosed by the sixteenth century walls.
The most valuable works and buildings include Pordenone’s frescoes and the altar piece with Tiziano’s Annunciation in the Malchiostro Chapel of the Cathedral; the cycle of Storie di Sant’Orsola by Tomaso da Modena and works by Giovanni Bellini, Cima da Conegliano, Lorenzo Lotto, Paris Bordon, Jacopo Bassano, Giambattista Tiepolo in the Santa Caterina museum; the Dominican church of Saint Nicholas (San Nicolò) with the celebrated Chapter Hall frescoed by Tomaso da Modena; the recently restored “Luigi Bailo” Museum, seat of the prestigious permanent modern art collection, whose core is the collection of works by Arturo Martini.

Legend
1. Palazzo Bomben
2. Ca’ Scarpa
3. San Teonisto church
4. Casa Luisa e Gaetano Cozzi