Conegliano, Italy: highlights of your visit to the town of Conegliano

Visit Conegliano

Conegliano is a town in the centre of the Veneto-Friuli region, north of Treviso and in north-east Italy.

Explore Conegliano and castle

A visit to Conegliano can start from the Corso Vittorio Emanuele - this road was built outside the original defensive walls and known as the Refosso. Along this route you can see some important monuments such as the Church of San Rocco (17th century, with a façade in the Neoclassic style); Piazza Cima; and the Teatro dell'Accademia (Academy Theatre - a 19th century building also in the Neoclassic style).

Enter the old town of Conegliano through the Porta Dante (Dante's Gate) with the beautiful Fountain of Neptune, or the Porta Monticano.

Following along the Via XX Settembre there are various palaces and monuments of interest constructed between the 14th and 18th century, in particular the renaissance style Sarcinelli Palace; the beautiful cathedral and the Scuola dei Battuti (Battuti School), dating from 1354.

Conegliano cathedral

The Cathedral in Conegliano dates from 1491 and is divided into three aisles, with curved archs.

It is very rich in important frescoes and paintings, including the renowned and evocative altarpiece by Cima from Conegliano (c.1459-c.1518) with the fine 'Virgin Mary with the child between angels and saints', and continuing with Iacopo Negretti (aka Palma il Giovane) and his Santa Caterina fresco, and the altar piece of the Saints Bonaventure and Catherine by the local painter Francesco Beccaruzzi.

Other artistic highlights in the cathedral include the 16th century 'Baptism of Christ' by Francesco Fringimelica and 'The Annunciation' by Belgian painter Ludovico Pozzoserrato.

Next to Conegliano cathedral, the Scuola dei Battuti is an extraordinary work both outside, with the curved arches of the façade with frescoes by Ludovico Pozzoserratos, and inside, which contains many religious frescoes by Ludovico Pozzoserrato and Francesco Pagani.

From the Piazza Cima you should take a detour along Via Cima to visit the home of the renowned renaissance artist 'Cima of Conegliano' - the house is now a museum dedicated to the artist, although most paintings here are reproductions.

Next follow the Calle della Madonna della Neve in order to climb to the Castle and see the remaining towers. The Torre della Campana (Bell Tower) houses the rich Civic Museum and the Torre Mozza.

Absolutely not to be missed is the Picture-Gallery in the Civic Museum which includes some excellent works by Palma il Giovane ('The delivery of the keys to St. Peter'), by Giovanni Antonio de Sacchis (called the 'Pordenone') and by Francesco from Milan.

Conegliano and the Veneto Villas

Below Conegliano Castle, leaving through the gate called the Porta di Ser Bele, you can easily visit the surrounding hills and the magnificent Veneto Villas for which the region is famous. At Conegliano you can see some excellent examples of these such as the 17th century Giustinian Villa and Paccagnella Villa.

Conegliano wine and cuisine

Finally, be sure to pause in one of the many restaurants found in and around Conegliano. The region is well know for its wines, such as the Prosecco, Cartizze, and Raboso and others which go well together with the regional specialities: rabbit, chicory, polenta and cheeses produced in the nearby hills. Note: Conegliano is home to the oldest wine school in Italy.

Related article: the history of Conegliano