Palmanova star-fortress city

Timeline

1. 1593Palmanova founding site · FriuliThe Republic of Venice selected a plain site at its Friuli outpost and laid out the new city at once according to a nine-pointed star with a central hexagonal plaza, its name signifying palm (victory), intended to fill the gap in the line of defense from Udine to the Adriatic.
2. 1593–1598Palmanova walls and blocks · FriuliNine bastions and moats provided mutual flanking defense according to modern fortification practice; three main gates corresponded to radial avenues, and the blocks were cut into wedge shapes. The ideal geometry served both fields of fire and civic allotment, making the fortress itself a livable city.
3. 1598–1605Palmanova · Friuli-Venezia GiuliaVenice attracted settlers to fill the city with tax exemptions and land allotments; garrison, granaries, and churches were arranged around the central plaza. The new city went into service as a geometricized outpost of mainland territory, and its plan became a teaching specimen of European star-shaped cities.