Pordenone was already settled before 1000 a.C., as
it is witnessed by a necropolis founded beneath the palace "Palazzo
Ricchieri".
Since the 12th century commercial and trade activities rapidly
grown thanks to the fluvial port on the river Noncello; as a matter of fact
the name of Pordenone as "Portus Naonis" came from it.
Only Pordenone, an Austrian dominion, and
Castelnovo, which belonged to the Count of Gorizia, were not conquered by
Venice in 1420. Later the city became a fee of commander Bartolomeo
d'Alviano and only in 1539, after the family extinction, was controlled by
Venice.
In 1797, together with the whole territory of the
Republic of Venice, Pordenone was given by Napoleon to the Austrian Empire
and, except for the years between 1806 and 1813, it remained under Austria
until 1866 when it was annexed to the Reign of Italy.
Since early 19th century, with the run down of its
harbour traffic, the town became competitive in the textile sector and,
after World War II, in the household appliances industry. In 1968 Pordenone
became administrative seat of the homonymous province with 51 local
authorities and a population of 270.000.
Art and culture
As far as its Cultural properties is concerned, among the most
interesting buildings to visit there are:
-
the historical center, also called "Contrada Maggiore";
-
many stylish palaces along the street "Corso Emanuele" among which:
the Reinassance "Palazzo Ricchieri", housing the art gallery "Pinacoteca
Civica", the 17th "Palazzo Gregoris", "Palazzo dei Capitani" (13th
century), "Palazzo Montereale-Mantica", "Palazzo Cattaneo" and
"Palazzo Popai";
-
the palaces along "Corso Garibaldi" such as: "Palazzo Badini",
"Palazzo de'Spelladi Porcia", "Palazzo Pera" and "Palazzo Sbrojavacca";
-
the original gothic palace "Palazzo Comunale" (1291-1395);
-
the cathedral "Duomo di San Marco" (end 14th-middle 15th century)
keeping some interesting pieces of works among which the famous
"Madonna della Misericordia" by Giovanni De' Sacchis, known as "Il
Pordenone" (1484-1539).
Art and culture information from: "Guida Artistica del Friuli Venezia Giulia"
by Giuseppe Bergamini
Pordenone
As far as its Cultural properties is concerned, among the most
interesting buildings to visit there are: