Friuli
Pordenone

Pordenone

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

Courtesy of Turismo Friuli Venezia Giulia