"A charming little town" a Portogruaro Travel Page by JLBG

This medieval and renaissance town, crossed by the River Lemene, offers at every angle very interesting views. The first document , showing the existance of Portogruaro as a town, relate to the 10th January 1140. Portogruaro soon became important: on the left side of the river the commerce of the town began and on the right side the patriarchal and episcopal castle.

Since it was founded, Portogruaro belonged to the area of political dominion of Aquileia, which also included Concordia. But the traders, who had greatly contributed to the development of the town, soon started to demand political independence and gradually entered the area of Venetian dominion.
During the 14th century the patriarch tried to keep political control of the city, but because of the particular situation of the Aquileia Patriarchate which was divided by civil strife and attacked by the German Emperors from the North, Venice entered the fray and after many events advanced on the Patriarchal State.

The fortune of the town of Lemene continued as long as the customs of Portogruaro was on the fixed route for goods to Germany. It was a time of growth and wealth for the inhabitants who built the palaces that everybody can still admire in the historical centre. The town emblem is the gothic town hall, brick faced, of 1265. The side wings, in perfect harmony with the central part, were added in 1512.

The town hall built in brick façade is a characteristic gothic building with an outside corner stair and small bell gable.

One of the most charming and striking characteristics is that of the watermill on the Lemene river, built by Bishop Feletto in 1477.
The Cathedral with its leaning tower is interesting. Among the many and remarkable town palaces are the Muschietti, Moro and Imposte, De Goetzen Palace, Dal Moro Palace, the Villa Comunale whose elegance and Renaissance style can be admired.