In Piazza Grande, visitors can take a closer look at the tools and machinery used in the 17th century to build the fortress of Palmanova: five large, full-scale machines reconstructed from the original designs of the Venetian military engineer Bonaiuto Lorini, author of the treatise “Delle Fortificationi”.
These devices, used to lift water, transport earth, drive poles, or process materials, testify to the technical ingenuity and construction knowledge of the time. The reconstructions provide a concrete understanding of how one of Europe’s most important fortified cities was built, offering an original look at the work and organization of construction sites in the past.
Tools for driving poles, for carrying earth, for raising water, for pounding dust and for lifting the wheel, used in 1600 to build the Fortress of Palmanova, are visible and restored in Piazza Grande. Five machines, conceived and designed by Bonaiuto Lorini, a Venetian military engineer, author of the treatise “Delle Fortificationi”, now reproduced in full size following the original projects.
The “Machines” were created by the carpenters Ivano Pio Citossi, Andrea Del Mestre, Armando Ortis and Nicola Zaina and by the blacksmiths Gabriele Pesce and Colussi Mario S.n.c. Drawings by Giovanni Gabassi Texts by Gabriella Del Frate. Project created with the contribution of the FVG Region. Events for the Dissemination of Scientific Culture 2022
Download the audio descriptions of the “Tools and artificial machines for building the Fortress of Palma” present in Piazza Grande.
https://www.visitpalmanova.it/audio/eng/intro_MAeng.mp3
https://www.visitpalmanova.it/audio/eng/1FP_MAeng.mp3
https://www.visitpalmanova.it/audio/eng/2PT_MAeng.mp3
https://www.visitpalmanova.it/audio/eng/3AR_MAeng.mp3
https://www.visitpalmanova.it/audio/eng/4PP_MAeng.mp3
https://www.visitpalmanova.it/audio/eng/5TA_MAeng.mp3