Where is Motta di Livenza?
Area and bordering municipalities
The Municipality of Motta di Livenza is located in the Province of Treviso, with a territory extending over an area of 37.46 square kilometers.
It borders to the north with Meduna di Livenza, to the north and east Gorgo al Monticano, to the southeast with Chiarano, to the south with Cessalto and to the west with Annone Veneto and San Stino di Livenza.
Historical Notes on Motta di Livenza
The development of the first settlements in the municipal territory is linked to the presence of the Livenza, whose sinuous course originates from the cold waters of the karst areas of Santissima and Gorgazzo in the Friulian municipality of Polcenigo, and of the Monticano, whose springs arise from the slopes of Mount Prai in Vittorio Veneto.
Once dominated by vast and lush forests later cleared to make way for the Postumia, Emilia-Altinate, and Callalta roads, as well as vast meadows, arable fields, and vineyards, this fertile land has yielded archaeological evidence attesting to Roman presence from the 2nd century BC.
It is hypothesized that the name of the municipality derives from a river hill called Motta that arose near the point where the Monticano flows into the Livenza, on which the castle of Motta di Livenza was built, belonging to the noble Da Camino family from 1089 and donated to the Republic of Venice in 1291, the year Motta di Livenza was named “Firstborn daughter of the Serenissima”.
Discover ten of the countless sites of natural, architectural, and artistic interest that make Motta di Livenza one of the most fascinating municipalities in the Veneto region.
10 Things to see in Motta di Livenza
1. The Livenza River
The path illustrated above winds through the serene tree vegetation that accompanies the placid course of the Livenza and the regular rows of vineyards that, in this land once ravaged by the devastation of World War II and later reclaimed, grow lush and produce some of the most renowned wines in the Treviso area.
Located in the hamlet of San Giovanni, the itinerary is accessible from Via C. Gini a short distance from Villa Rosa, a rural complex consisting of a sumptuous residence overlooking a majestic tree-lined garden.
2. World War I Footbridge over the Livenza
Built in 1911 and 1912 after the diversion of the Livenza with “the new branch” (moved further east from the historic center of Motta di Livenza), the footbridge is an iron lattice structure designed to connect the two towpaths and allow pedestrian and bicycle passage between the historic center of Motta di Livenza and the hamlet of Lorenzaga.
3. Villa Rosa in Motta di Livenza in the province of Treviso
Where is Villa Rosa?
Located at Via C. Gini, 40, 31045 San Giovanni (TV), Villa Rosa is a vast architectural complex built between the 19th and 20th centuries that includes Villa Gini, a majestic manor house rising three floors, from which one can admire, from the outside, the soaring top of the lantern tower. The facade of the stately building is surrounded by large service buildings arranged around a quadrangular central courtyard.
Of considerable natural interest is the vast tree-lined park populated by tree species that include, in addition to the tall and elegant lindens, majestic specimens of dogwoods, hazelnuts, as well as tall and elegant plum trees.
4. Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli
Where is the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli?
The Christian sanctuary, located at Piazzale Madonna, 2, 31045 Motta di Livenza (TV), was built, according to legend, following the celestial apparition of the Madonna to the seventy-nine-year-old farmer Giovanni Cigana near the wayside shrine where he went to recite the rosary daily.
After ordering the elderly man to fast together with his family for three consecutive Saturdays, she established that a wooden church be built as a place of religious gathering for the local population.
The current basilica, built under the supervision of Francesco Zorzi, was consecrated in 1548 and the works inside enrich the inestimable artistic and historical mosaic of the municipality of Motta di Livenza.
The sanctuary seems pervaded by an atmosphere of sacredness that invites visitors and pilgrims to contemplation and spiritual recollection.
The interiors of the temple feature three naves supported by eight octagonal pillars with a sober and monumental appearance, while the ceiling is supported by robust trusses adorned with as many as 11,800 figures of men and women.
Among the most important works of art stand out an Annunciation attributed to Pomponio Amalteo that decorates the triumphal arch, and the Ancòna del Sansovino, bearing the statues of the Annunciate, the Archangel Gabriel, Saint Francis and Saint Anthony.
Corresponding to the side naves are six richly decorated altars, while behind the main altar emerges the majestic three-manual pipe organ dating back to 1926, rebuilt in 1969 due to damage from the 1966 flood.
5. Piazza Luigi Luzzati
After crossing the suggestive arcades of the village of Gerolamo Aleandro and reaching Via IV Novembre, one catches a glimpse of the figures of two fierce lions placed on the sides of the underpass of the centuries-old Toresin palace.
Among the imposing arcaded buildings that border the square, the majestic municipal palace stands out for its historical value and architectural merit, recognizable by its frescoed facade bearing the ancient clock at the top, framed by pillars, surmounted by a pediment, and flanked by a wide balustrade.
A few steps from the town hall, the Palazzo della Loggia rises solemnly, which in the 15th century housed the seat of the Podestà and the magistracy. Externally, a stone plaque depicts the winged lion of Saint Mark, the coat of arms of the Podestà and the city.
6. Duomo of Motta di Livenza
Where is the Duomo of San Nicolò?
Located at via del Girone, 24, the Duomo of San Nicolò constitutes one of the most significant monuments of the municipality. As reported by historian Lepido Rocco in his work ‘Motta di Livenza e suoi dintorni‘, the original church dedicated to San Giovanni would date back to the second half of the 10th century, precisely to 963, as indicated by an inscription found on the walls of the ancient place of worship.
The church of San Nicolò houses spectacular examples of sacred art, such as the centuries-old canvases by painter Pomponio Amalteo depicting a Madonna and Child, Eternal Father in Glory among Angels, Saint Dominic, Saint Francis of Assisi, and putti musicians, as well as invaluable works by Giambattista Canal, to name but a few.
7. Piazza Duomo
Upon reaching the ancient square, it is easy to be impressed by the white mass of the 16th-century Duomo and the colorful decorations that embellish the surfaces of tall and majestic centuries-old buildings, from the spectacular house in Via Contarini flanked by the white mass of the duomo to the towering palace called la Castella (to the right in the photo above), where the headquarters of the Centro Arti Visive La Castella is located at via Contarina, 19.
8. 15th-century frescoed house in Via Contarina
Flanking the Duomo of San Nicolò, a splendid 15th-century palace stands in the heart of the historic center of Motta di Livenza. Rising three floors, the centuries-old building features arched windows on the main floor, in the center of which is a mullioned window, and smaller quadrangular windows on the mezzanine.
Arousing the admiration of the viewer, an incredible array of polychrome frescoes depicting geometric, floral, mirror, and marbleizing motifs stand out on the facade of the house, and like a delicate curtain, they attest to and at the same time enrich the already impressive artistic and historical heritage of the city.
9. Piazza Castello
Archaeological excavations carried out in this area have brought to light evidence of buildings arranged around a hearth as well as artifacts from the medieval period and dating back to the construction phases of the Motta castle.
A particularly evocative find is a well visible through a glass cover that stands in a small square from which one can admire both the splendid urban panorama of the historic center and the pleasant landscape of the river port and the suggestive row of linden trees that follows its course.
10. Church of San Giovanni, 11th century
Where is the parish of San Giovanni Battista?
The parish church of San Giovanni Battista is located at Via C. Gini, 40, 31045 San Giovanni (TV).
Emerged following recent excavation campaigns, the thousand-year-old remains of an ancient altar and a primitive apse allow us to identify the origin of the place of worship in the early Christian era. Surrounded by the churchyard bordered by serene tall dark cypresses, the white parish church with its simple gabled facade is flanked by a brick bell tower along whose sides one can see the ornament of pilaster strips connected by hanging arches. The church has a single, wide nave surmounted by a wooden truss ceiling.
Sources of light for the parish are the long vertical windows along the side walls and the circular opening above the entrance door.
Inside, the church bears valuable frescoes and multi-century painted works on canvas.
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Population, Hamlets, ZIP Code and other data of Motta di Livenza
Population of Motta di Livenza
The population counts 10,775 inhabitants with a density of 285.27 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Hamlets of the Municipality of Motta di Livenza
Lorenzaga, Malintrada, San Giovanni, Villanova
Link to the Municipality of Motta di Livenza website
What is the Postal Code (CAP) of Motta di Livenza?
The CAP of Motta di Livenza is 31045.
What is the Telephone Area Code of Motta di Livenza?
The telephone area code to call this municipality is 0422.
Administrative Information
- ISTAT code: 26049
- Cadastral code: F770
If you are planning a trip to Motta di Livenza, I recommend you also explore the attractions of the province of Treviso or discover the other municipalities of this fascinating area.
Pharmacies in the Municipality of Motta di Livenza
Farmacia Al Ponte, Via IV Novembre, 42, 31045 Motta di Livenza (TV) 0422 766062
Farmacia Alla Provvidenza, Via Ballarin, 1, 31045 Motta di Livenza (TV) 0422 766550
