Oderzo
Welcome to Oderzo: a happy island in the Venetian plain
Welcome to Oderzo, a charming municipality in the province of Treviso, in the heart of the Venetian-Friulian plain. The city has a population of nearly 20,000 inhabitants and is known for its Roman history and its agricultural and industrial importance. Let's discover a little more about the geography and environment of this area.
Physical geography
The territory of Oderzo is entirely flat, with an elevation ranging from 6 to 15 meters above sea level. The central area, where the city center is located, is slightly higher than the rest of the territory. Over the centuries, leveling works have been carried out to reduce the differences in altitude between the various areas.
Hydrography
One of the most interesting aspects of Oderzo is the presence of several watercourses. The most important river is the Monticano, which touches the northeastern area of the historic center. The Lia, a resurgence river, originates in San Polo di Piave and flows into the Monticano at Camino.
The Piavon, which was one of the main waterways of ancient Opitergium, was later transformed into a modest watercourse due to the rupture of the Cucca del 589. In the Middle Ages, the Da Camino family recovered the Piavon by digging the Navisego Canal, which crosses the historic center.
Other watercourses in the area are the Peressina and the Negadi ditch. The abundant presence of water in the area contributes to the fertility of the territory, making it ideal for agriculture. However, frequent floods are a constant concern, and the dyke system has been implemented to prevent flood damage.
Seismology
Although the municipality of Oderzo is located in zone 3, which indicates a possibility of modest shaking, seismic activity in the area is very limited. The collapse of the bell tower of the then-poorly kept historic center of Faè, which occurred during the Friuli earthquake of 1976, was the most serious seismic event recorded in the area.
Conclusions
Oderzo is a unique city, rich in history and natural beauty. With its location in the Venetian-Friulian plain, the city offers breathtaking views and a variety of terrains that make agriculture an important resource of the local economy. The presence of watercourses and the dyke system are essential elements for the protection of the city from floods. Despite the limited seismic activity, the city is not exempt from seismic risks, but residents and local authorities are well-equipped to deal with such emergencies. Oderzo is a beautiful place to visit or call home, where the combination of history, environment, and natural resources blend harmoniously.
