Descending into the Underground Countermine Galleries means entering the hidden heart of Palmanova, where the star-shaped fortress defended itself and life unfolded far from enemy eyes.
A fascinating 550-metre underground route leads visitors through the ingenious defensive system of the fortress, among passages, tunnels and hidden spaces beneath the bastions.
The experience becomes even more engaging thanks to audio guides and Augmented Reality characters (available in Italian, English and German), accompanying visitors along the route with stories, military strategies and curiosities about Venetian Palmanova.
For younger visitors, a special children’s itinerary is available, including a fun treasure hunt designed to learn through play.
The route then continues outdoors towards the Sortita Gallery, from where visitors ascend inside Donato Bastion, reaching the guard lodge and a panoramic belvedere offering a completely new perspective over the fortress city and its landscape.
A unique experience combining history, technology and adventure, allowing visitors to discover Palmanova from an unexpected point of view.
RAVELINS
The ravelins form part of the second defensive line of the fortress of Palmanova. There are nine of them, positioned beyond the moat in front of the curtain walls. Their construction, designed by engineer Verneda, was commissioned by the Venetian Senate in response to the increased range of heavy artillery, which had reduced the effectiveness of previous defensive systems. The entire project was completed in 1682.
UNDERGROUND COUNTERMINE TUNNELS
Beneath the entire bastioned walls of Palmanova lies an extensive network of underground galleries, some of which can still be explored today. The galleries built inside the ravelins were known as “countermine galleries” because, when necessary, they could be mined and blown up to damage approaching enemy troops.