The Palmanova Military History Museum was opened to the public in 1990 by the Italian Ministry of Defence and offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history of this fascinating town in the Friulian plain. The exhibition covers a historical period from the year of the fortress foundation (1593) to the present day.
It is a fascinating journey through the history of this fortress-city which, for many experts past and present, represents a true masterpiece of military architecture.
The museum is located inside the keep of Porta Cividale and can be accessed through the ramp on the left before passing through the gate when exiting the city. The museum also includes an outdoor section on the Bastions, where visitors can discover the defensive features of Palmanova, including the monumental gate, the bastion (an embankment with artillery platforms) and the “Napoleonic lunette”, the third defensive line built during the French occupation at the beginning of the 19th century.
Inside the upper section of Porta Cividale, within the architectural structure known as the keep, the indoor exhibition displays weapons, memorabilia, uniforms and documents related to the military history of Palmanova, from the Venetian period (1593–1797) to the Italian era (from 1866), including the Napoleonic and Austrian occupations.