Castelfranco Veneto is a town and comune of Veneto, northern Italy, in the province of Treviso, 25 km by rail from the town of Treviso. It is approximately 40 km inland from Venice.
The town originates from a castle built here by the commune of Treviso in the course of its strife against Padua (1195). In 1246 it was captured by Ezzelino IV da Romano, returning to Treviso after his death in 1259. In 1329 it was acquired by Cangrande I della Scala, lord of Verona. Ten years later, together with Treviso, it was handed over to the Republic of Venice, to which it belonged until 1797. Castelfranco then followed the history of Veneto.The older part of the town is square, surrounded by medieval walls and towers constructed by the people of Treviso in 1211 (see Cittadella). The massive Castle is noteworthy.
Castelfranco Veneto was the birthplace of the painter Giorgione, and the Cathedral (1723) contains one of his finest works, the Madonna with St. Francis and Liberalis (1504), but more commonly called La Pala del Giorgione. In the background, the towers of the old town may be seen. The painting was being restored in Venice, Italy; however, ceremonies were held for the return of 'La Pala' near the end of 2005.
The Cathedral itself was designed by Francesco Maria Preti, over an ancient Romanesque church. Other artpieces include seven fragments of frescoes by Paolo Veronese
The name CastelFranco is actually two words that have become one over the centuries from "castello" meaning fortified or castle. And Franco meaning Tax exempt. After the plague struck the Veneto, it was hard to get people to leave the safety of their homes to move to new towns and begin again. So the council of 10 under the express permission of the Doge, set up a number of tax exempt cities to allow them to get on their feet and start small businesses. This one was set up by Francesco Carraro and his crest adorns the walls of the Torre del Orologio and can also be seen in the castle at the top of nearby Asolo.
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