Palmanova

Palmanova is a fortress-city preserved in extraordinary conditions. It is called the "starry city" due to its 9-pointed polygonal star plan. Founded by the Republic of Venice, initially the purpose of the city was to counter the expansionist aims of the Habsburgs of Austria and the raids of the Turks. On 7th October 1593 the first stone for the construction of the new fortress was laid in Palmanova. 

It became a national monument in 1960, and in 2017 it became part of the UNESCO Heritage on the transnational serial site "Venetian defense works between the 16th and 17th centuries: State of Earth-State from the Western Sea". Palmanova represents one of the most important examples of military architecture of the modern age.
With its particular nine-pointed star shape, the city has always been shrouded in mystery. Its numbers leave the mystery. They are all based on the  number 3 and its multiples: the star has 9 points, as well as the bastions and the circles of the walls. The access gates to the city are 3 (Porta Udine, Porta Cividale, Porta Aquileia), the radial roads are 18 and the main roads 6.
The whole bastion of Palmanova is crossed, in its subsoil, by a system of tunnels, some of which can be visited. The square of the city that embraces the whole center and from which the singular plan of Palmanova can be seen is very fascinating, with the six roads that surround it to ray and three that cut it. The Cathedral and the Loggia dei Mercanti overlook the square. On the other side of the square you can admire the Palace of the Provveditore Generale, which today houses the Town Hall which dates back to 1598, and the Governor's Palace to the Weapons, now the site of the Historical Military Museum.

There are many occasions that bring tourists to this wonderful city, including the A.D. 1615 Palma alle Armi held on the first weekend of September and The Game Fortress Comic & Movie Festival which takes place on the first weekend of July.