Palmanova: Italy’s Extraordinary Nine-Pointed Star Fortress

In 1593, The Venetian Republic constructed a fortified city in the shape of a nine-pointed star to celebrate the defeat of Ottoman forces in the War of Cyprus by Italian and Spanish soldiers. Palmanova—which is located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy—served as a military fortress and the physical embodiment of utopian ideals of perfect symmetry and social equality that were popular among Renaissance-era philosophers.

In the 21st century, Palmanova’s fortified walls still stand. Palmanova is a treasure trove of history and a surprisingly swanky shopping destination. Visitors can stand in the shadow of Palmanova’s three stately gated entrances, stroll on the star-shaped Piazza Grande, and step inside of the luminous Palmanova Cathedral.

The Porta Cividale is Palmanova’s most impressive entrance. A rounded arch, small garrets, and a walkway where guards once paced back and forth to patrol from atop the fortified walls offer a vivid window into Palmanova’s heyday as a vital military fortress.

Visitors can explore Palmanova’s Underground Countermine Tunnels—which were constructed in the 17th century. The tunnels allowed troops to move swiftly and store weapons in places where enemy forces would not think to look. Self-guided audio tours of the tunnels are available in Italian, English, and German. The grand finale of the tunnel tour is a guard lodge that features a sweeping lookout point that showcases Palmanova’s star-shaped grandeur.

The trail that wraps around Palmanova’s fortified walls is also quite popular. Visitors can walk, run, or bike around Palmanova’s pointy edges. A gentle blanket of green grass and a placid river offer just the right amount of natural camouflage to Palmanova’s stately walls. This verdant cover helped Palmanova to successfully deflect centuries of invaders.

If you love modern amenities as much as you love history, the Palmanova Designer Village offers 90 shops that sell Italian and international clothing, shoes, and chocolate at discounted prices. After a day of diving into Palmanova’s distinctive past, you can enjoy Itay’s status as one of the world’s great shopping destinations.

Italy is celebrated for its many layers of history. Palmanova offers a glimpse into the progressive years of the Renaissance—when new ideas about art, architecture, and city planning were transforming life. Simply walking the star-shaped grounds of one of Itay’s most distinctive fortified cities is worth spending a day in Palmanova. From Ottoman incursions to Napoleon’s short foray behind Palmanova’s fortified walls, there is much to learn and explore.

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