A city in Italy as beautiful as Venice but very few people know about it

Treviso is the ideal destination for those who love the beauty of Venice but don't like the crowds.

Italy's historic city of Treviso is a relatively deserted alternative to Venice, which sees an average of 52,000 visitors a day, with up to 110,000 visitors a day during the summer months.

Treviso is just a 30-minute train ride from Venice. Visitors to the city will find a rich history, medieval walls and a maze of beautiful canals, not to mention incredibly cheap hotels.

If Venice has large canals, Treviso has small, narrow canals with extremely charming beauty, winding through the city. Here is the Canale dei Buranelli, the most beautiful canal in the heart of the city. In addition to the beautiful canals like Venice, Treviso also has extremely attractive tourist destinations such as:

Fontana Delle Tette

Meaning 'fountain of breasts', the Fontana Delle Tette fountain is carved into the shape of a woman with water flowing from her breasts. The fountain is a 1989 replica of the original, which was gifted to the city by Venice in 1559 to celebrate the end of a drought.

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The original is now on display in the city's Loggia dei Cavalieri building, while this replica is located on Calle del Podestà, a narrow street near Piazza dei Signori.

In the past, wine would flow from the statue instead of water – red from one breast and white from the other. For three days every autumn, the people of Treviso would be given free wine. Sadly, this tradition no longer continues.

Piazza Dei Signori Square

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Venice is famous for its squares, the most famous of which is St Mark's Square. In Treviso, the famous Piazza dei Signori square dates back to the 13th century, described by Visit Italy as "The Heart of the Medieval City".

It is surrounded by historic palaces such as the Palazzo dei Trecento and the Palazzo del Podestà. On sunny days, you will see many locals sitting outside the restaurants, bars and cafes, enjoying an Aperol or a beer, having lunch and taking in the natural views of the square.

In addition to Piazza dei Signo, Treviso’s other squares, San Vito Piazza and Piazza del Duomo, are also worth a visit. Whichever square you visit, be sure to stop by a local café and order a tiramisu – the world- famous dessert that originated in Treviso.

Treviso Cathedral

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St Mark's Basilica in Venice attracts hundreds of thousands of people every year - but you won't need to fight the crowds when exploring Treviso's landmark church, St Peter's Basilica.

The church, topped with green domes, is one of the most visited landmarks in the city. It dates back to the 6th century and is guarded by “six giant Roman columns”. The main attraction inside the building is the painting of the Annunciation of Malchiostro by the Renaissance artist Titian.

Tourists can also visit the 11th-century crypt beneath the church. Afterwards, stroll through the city's other historic churches, such as the Chiesa di San Nicolo and the Chiesa di San Francesco.

Admire the 16th century city wall

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One of Treviso's most notable attractions is its city walls, designed in the 1500s to protect the city from medieval attack techniques such as catapults and millstones. In the summer, food events and wine festivals are held along these walls.

(According to 24h, October 27, 2023)

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