Istrana
Welcome to Istrana: a small Veneto municipality
Istrana is a small municipality located in the Veneto region, precisely in the province of Treviso. With its 9067 inhabitants, it is a perfect destination for those seeking tranquility and relaxation, as well as for history and culture enthusiasts.
The geographic location of Istrana
Istrana is located west of Treviso and east of Castelfranco Veneto. It borders the municipalities of Morgano to the south, Paese to the east, Piombino Dese to the southwest, Trevignano to the north, and Vedelago to the west. The hamlets of the Municipality are Ospedaletto, Pezzan, Sala, and Villanova, each with its own history and traditions.
The origin of the name Istrana
The etymology of the toponym Istrana is still discussed, but it is thought to have Latin origins, in reference to a plot of Roman centuriation. Despite this, the precise etymology remains a mystery.
The history of Istrana
The oldest finds found in Istrana date back to the pre-Roman and Roman periods. One of the most evident traces is the Postumia road, built in 147 BC by the consul Spurio Postumio Albino Magno and which still represents an important highway that runs straight north of Sala.
However, the first toponymic references appear from the 10th century. During the conquest of the Venetian Republic, the territory became the center of interests of the Venetian patriciate, who encouraged agriculture and local art. During the First and Second World War, Istrana suffered damage due to its strategic position.
Monuments and places of interest in Istrana
Parish Church
The present parish church of Istrana, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, dates back to 1653, while the facade was erected in 1824 on the project of the architect Andrea Bon. The interiors are decorated with elegant Baroque stuccoes dating back to the 18th century. Splendid frescoes were made around 1780 by the Venetian painter Francesco Zugno. The main altar retains two paintings by the painter Amedeo Lorenzi, while a panel of the "Martyrdom of St. Sebastian" is attributed to Palma the Younger.
Villa Lattes
Villa Lattes, built in 1715 on the project of Giorgio Massari, has a two-story facade with a central loggia with a tympanum and two concave barchesse on the sides. The villa is surrounded by an elegant English park and is adorned with frames and balusters. The gentilic chapel houses paintings by Jacopo Amigoni.
Treviso-Istrana Airport
Treviso-Istrana Airport is home to the 51st Wing of the Italian Air Force. The airbase was inaugurated in the 1930s and, during the Second World War, suffered damage due to Allied bombing. After the war, the structure was rebuilt and strengthened. Today the airport is one of the strategic hubs in the northeast of Italy.
Conclusions
Istrana is a place that deserves to be visited to discover its history and traditions. Among its beauties, there are monuments and places of interest such as the parish church and Villa Lattes, but also Treviso-Istrana Airport, which represents one of the excellences of the territory. Discovering Istrana is a unique experience, ideal for a day trip or a relaxing vacation in the heart of Veneto.
