CASTELFRANCO VENETO | TREVISO PROVINCE

Castelfranco Veneto's main attraction is the 12th Century fortress that acts as the center piece for the city.  Thought the town is not very big it still worth a day trip from Venice (Venezia). The town is also a great starting point for bike touring the region or heading up into the Dolomites.  For those who enjoy escaping the crowds and slow travel Castelfranco Veneto should be on your list of places to pass through on bike or foot.

The town is situated between Treviso and Vicenza, and is on a regional railway line between Venice and Bassano del Grappa. It's called Castelfranco Veneto to differentiate it from other Italian towns called Castelfranco, including one in Emilia-Romagna. The site was developed and fortified by Treviso in 1195; its central area, the Castello consists of a large square fortification with high walls and a moat.

Castelfranco Veneto is also known for being the birthplace of Giorgione, an extraordinary and enigmatic artist of the fifteenth century. Giorgione is seen as a genius in his use of light and color but very few works have been found. In his old home , now known as the Casa Giorgione Museum, holds the Frieze of Liberal and Mechanical Arts, the only fresco attributed to the artist. The most famous work of the master is the Altar piece of Castelfranco that can be seen in the Duomo of S. Maria Assunta, in the Cotanzo Chapel.

The town's tourist information centre is located in the town walls at the western end of the main street, via FM Preti. If you arrive by Train and walk to the center you find it on your left once you see the old walls. They have useful maps of the town and area in several languages including English.

1. Fossato del Castello Medievale
2. Torre Civica
3. Duomo
4. Teatro Accademico
5. Villa Revedin Bolasco
6. Casa di Giorgione

From our experience the best host of the city is Hotel Alla Torre. 

• Hotel Alla Torre, piazzetta Trento e Trieste 7, tel 0423498707
• Hotel Al Mareta, via S. Pio X 10, tel 0423721313

See out Map above for food suggestions.

Places we like

• Osteria al Castello
• Alle Mura, via Preti 69, tel 0423498098
• Barbesin, Salvarasa, circonvallazione est., tel 0423490446

Castelfranco Veneto has good transport connections. The best way to explore the area is by bicycle or other vehicle. But urban hikers and walkers public transport is a viable option, letting you reach several of the sites around the city.

By Train: Castelfranco is a small hub on the regional railway network, with direct trains from Vicenza, Treviso, Venice and Bassano del Grappa. Venice is just under an hour away on the slow regional line; single tickets cost around €4.40. The railway station is a 10 minute walk from the heart of town.

By Bus: Buses links can be found between Treviso, Castelfranco, Cittadella and Vicenza are run daily. Castelfranco Veneto has city bus service as well that will get you to some outter locations. The bus station (autostazione) is to the west of the centre, on Via Podgora.

The walled city of Cittadella is 15 minutes away by train, where you can walk around the ramparts of the restored walls. Villa Emo, one of Palladiio's famous country villas, is also short train trip from Castelfranco. The hilltown of Asolo, is within easy reach by bus or bicycle. The town's tourist information office has a good stock of information on the surrounding area with lots of additional suggestions. Larger town nearby include Vicenza, Treviso, Padua, Bassano del Grappa, and Venice.