Quarto d'Altino
Quarto d'Altino: the Venetian city in the Metropolitan City of Venice
Hello friends! Today I want to talk to you about Quarto d'Altino, a municipality located in the Metropolitan City of Venice, in the Italian region of Veneto. With a population of around 8,000 inhabitants, the territory of Quarto d'Altino is part of the Venice metropolitan area and has many historical and geographical features that make it unique.
The physical geography of Quarto d'Altino
The territory of Quarto d'Altino is crossed by the Sile River, which divides into two branches in the hamlet of Portegrandi: one connects the river to the Venetian lagoon, while the other continues towards Jesolo through the Sile Canal, excavated during the time of the Serenissima. The area of Quarto d'Altino was reclaimed starting from the 15th century, but the most radical works were carried out between the 19th and 20th centuries. Over 70% of the municipal area is subject to constraint due to the presence of sites of environmental and historical-cultural interest, such as the archaeological area of Altinum, the Regional Natural Park of the Sile River, the Trepalade Nature Reserve and the Venetian Lagoon.
The history of Quarto d'Altino
The history of Quarto d'Altino is linked to the city of Altinum, an ancient palaeo-Venetian settlement and then a Roman municipium located near the current municipality. Altinum, which was an important commercial port on the shores of the Venice Lagoon, was destroyed by the barbarians and the area became marshy. The population moved to the estuary founding Venice and other important settlements such as Torcello, Murano and Burano.
Meanwhile, a small village developed to the east of the territory of Quarto d'Altino around a chapel dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. The village was known as "del Quarto" because it was four Roman miles from Altinum. The area continued to be marshy until the 15th century, when the Serenissima began the imposing work of reclamation and repopulation that lasted until the beginning of the 20th century. With the fall of Venice in 1797, the municipalities of San Michele del Quarto and Trepalade were established, which were later reunited during the Lombardo-Veneto kingdom.
The historical heritage of Quarto d'Altino
Quarto d'Altino has a rich historical and cultural heritage, thanks to its proximity to the city of Altinum and its strategic position along the Venetian Lagoon. The archaeological area of Altinum was discovered in the 1950s and includes remains of Roman roads, houses, temples and thermal plants. The National Archaeological Museum of Altino collects the findings discovered in the area and offers a reconstruction of the daily life of ancient Romans.
The nature of Quarto d'Altino
Nature is another important resource of Quarto d'Altino, thanks to the presence of the Regional Natural Park of the Sile River, which extends for over 40 km, from the source to the Venetian lagoon. The park is characterized by the presence of numerous species of flora and fauna, including the kingfisher, the little grebe, the otter and the mute swan. In addition, the Trepalade Nature Reserve offers the opportunity to admire the natural habitat of the Sile delta.
Conclusions
In summary, Quarto d'Altino is a municipality that offers many opportunities for those seeking a holiday characterized by nature and culture. With its millennial history, its museums, the natural park and the Venetian lagoon, Quarto d'Altino represents an excellent choice for those who want to discover the beauty of Veneto in a quiet environment with little mass tourism. Come and visit Quarto d'Altino and you will be amazed by its beauty and charm!
