Main Square, the Banner and the Loggia della Gran Guardia

Piazza Grande is the soul of Palmanova: a perfect and surprising space where every street converges into a harmonious design unlike any other in the world. At its centre rises the Banner, symbol of the city, while elegant historic buildings, loggias and statues tell centuries of history. Between events, historical re-enactments and everyday life, this is where the authentic essence of a fortress that continues to live and enchant can still be felt. A place where art meets military engineering.

PIAZZA GRANDE (GREAT SQUARE)
Piazza Grande is the main square of Palmanova, the centre of city life and the heart of the historic town and fortress. Built by the Venetians in the 17th century, it was originally called Piazza d’Armi (“Parade Ground”) because military garrisons gathered here for drills and exercises.
Overlooking this hexagonal square are Palmanova’s most important Venetian historic buildings, characterised by austere military architecture, including the Doge’s Cathedral, the Palace of the General Governor (“Provveditore Generale”), the Loggia della Gran Guardia, the Monte di Pietà Palace and the Palace of the Governor of Arms.
It is interesting to observe how all the radial streets both depart from and converge towards the heart of the fortress, highlighting the close connection between the urban layout and the fortifications.
Eleven statues representing some of the fortress’s General Governors surround the square.

THE BANNER
At the centre of Piazza Grande stands a base made of Istrian stone with three well-heads, built in 1611 under the General Governor Giovanni Pasqualigo.
Rising above it is the Banner, a symbolic testimony to the history of the fortress of Palmanova: over the centuries the pole has flown the banner of Saint Mark, the French flag, the Habsburg eagle and finally the Italian tricolour.
The current mast, 28 metres high, was installed in 1893 to replace the previous wooden poles.
The Banner is also a symbol of the city and is affectionately called “Mario” by the people of Palmanova.

LOGGIA DELLA GRAN GUARDIA
The Loggia della Gran Guardia, built between 1620 and 1625, is a seven-arched building located beside the Palace of the General Governor. Its name and strategic position derive from the fact that it served as headquarters for the militias, halberdiers and mounted guards entrusted with escorting and protecting the General Governor.

MERCHANTS’ LOGGIA
The adjacent structure, located at the corner with Contrada Savorgnan, is a raised three-arched loggia resulting from a 1924 renovation. Originally known as the Merchants’ Loggia, after the First World War it was dedicated to the Fallen Soldiers. Inside stands a commemorative monument by Marcello Mascherini.

PRIULI STELE
In Piazza Grande stands the Priuli Stele, also known as the Pyramid of Virginity. This marble monument, set on a three-step base, was commissioned by Provveditore Alvise Priuli in 1654 to symbolise the inviolability of the fortress, which was never besieged by enemy forces.

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