The Monumental Palaces of the Historic Centre

Overlooking Piazza Grande, these palaces housed the political, military and administrative institutions of the fortress of Palmanova throughout the centuries. Today, partly open to visitors and home to civic institutions and museums, most of these buildings surround Piazza Grande, defining its boundaries and framing the centre of the Fortress.
These elegant Venetian buildings, with their wide arcades and austere lines, complete the city’s perfect urban geometry. Walking among these palaces means immersing yourself in the harmony of another era, in the beating heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

PALACE OF THE GOVERNOR OF ARMS
The Palace of the Governor of Arms, located in Piazza Grande, was built in 1613 under the General Governor Benedetto Tagliapietra, to whom the plaque on the façade is dedicated.
It was the residence of the Governor of Arms, the third highest authority in the government of the fortress after the General Governor and the Treasurer. This military authority, appointed by the Venetian Senate, was responsible for overseeing the efficiency of all militias and weaponry, as well as ensuring the security of the fortress.
The palace features a three-storey façade with two arched gateways, one of which is surmounted by a window with a small balcony.

PALACE OF THE GENERAL GOVERNOR – TOWN HALL
The Palace of the General Governor (“Provveditore Generale”), now the Town Hall, was built by General Governor Marc’Antonio Memmo in 1598, as indicated by the date engraved on the keystone of the entrance portal. It was later enlarged in 1611 by Giovanni Pasqualigo.
It served as the residence of the General Governor of the Patria del Friuli, appointed by the Doge of Venice for a term of 18 months. During this period, the General Governor held full military and civil authority over Palmanova and the nearby villages of Palmada, Ronchis and San Lorenzo.
In addition to the apartments of the General Governor and his family, the palace also housed the Chancellery for the administration of justice. Three wells ensured the water supply for the residence and service areas.

FISCAL CHAMBER
In Borgo Udine stands the imposing “Palazzo del Ragionato” (or Treasury Chamber), which served as the residence of the Treasurer of the fortress under the Serenissima Republic of Venice.
The building was commissioned in 1598 by General Governor Marc’Antonio Memmo to house both the Treasurer’s residence and the Fiscal Chamber of the fortress of Palmanova.
The Treasurer’s duties included supervising all administrative and financial activities of the city, as well as managing payments for militias, workers and state officials operating within the fortress.

PALACE OF PAWN SHOP
The “Palazzo del Monte di Pietà” is located in Piazza Grande and was established in 1666 by the Extraordinary General Governor Alvise Molin following the expulsion of several Jewish moneylenders living within the fortress.
According to its regulations, the Pawn Shop was open on Tuesdays and Saturdays: pledges were accepted in the morning, while loans were distributed in the afternoon.
During the administration of General Governor Nicolò Dolfin, two new entrances were added, one facing Piazza Grande and the other Borgo Aquileia, in order to better preserve the privacy of visitors.
At the corner of the building stands a marble sculpture depicting the Pietà.
The institution remained active until 1978.

Accessible for visitors with motor, sensory, intellectual and psychological disabilities.