Morgano
Welcome to Istrana: an overview of the city
Hello everyone! Today we are talking about Istrana, a municipality in Veneto, in the province of Treviso. Istrana has a population of about 9,000 inhabitants and is famous for its Treviso-Istrana airport, home to the 51st Wing of the Italian Air Force.
Geography 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 territory of the municipality of Istrana consists of the hamlets of Ospedaletto, Pezzan, Sala, and Villanova.
Origin of the name
The etymology of the toponym is still uncertain, but it is presumed to have Latin origins, referring to a piece of land in the Roman centuriazione.
The history of Istrana
The history of Istrana can be traced back to the pre-Roman era and the Postumia road, built in 147 BC by the consul Spurius Postumius Albino Magnus which still represents an important road artery that runs straight north of Sala.
The first toponymic references appear starting from the 10th century, with Pezzan and Sala mentioned in 996, Ospedaletto in 997, and Villanova in 1014. Istrana, on the other hand, is only mentioned starting from 1152, among the parishes of the diocese of Treviso.
During World War I, Istrana hosted a field hospital, while an airport linked to the hero Francesco Baracca was opened in Sala. The Battle of Istrana represents a significant historical event, which took place in the skies of Istrana on the 26th of December 1917.
Similarly, during World War II, due to its strategic position, Istrana suffered bombings and reprisals.
Monuments and places of interest in Istrana
The archipresbyteral church of Istrana is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and was built in 1653. The facade, however, was erected in 1824 according to the design of the architect Andrea Bon. The church has a single nave and features elegant Baroque stuccoes dating back to the 1700s. The splendid frescoes were painted around 1780 by the Venetian painter Francesco Zugno. The main altar is attributed to Giorgio Massari and preserves two paintings by the painter Amedeo Lorenzi, while a painting of the "Martyrdom of St. Sebastian" is attributed to Palma il Giovane.
Villa Lattes was built in 1715 according to the design of Giorgio Massari. This villa features a two-story facade with a central loggia and tympanum, all enriched with elegant cornices and balustrades. On the sides, the two concave barchesse, with the left one ending with the noble chapel containing paintings by Jacopo Amigoni. The villa is surrounded by an elegant English-style park.
Conclusion
In general, Istrana is a very interesting municipality, near Treviso, that is worth visiting. With its Baroque church and Villa Lattes, Istrana offers a fulfilling experience for lovers of art, architecture, and history. What are you waiting for to plan a visit to the beautiful city of Istrana?
