Portogruaro
Portogruaro is a town with 25,245 inhabitants (as of 31 December 2012) on the river Lemene in the eastern Veneto on the border with Friuli- Venezia Giulia, around 60 km from Venice.
- 5.1 Sons and daughters
- 5.2 Persons with special reference to the city
Name
Portogruaro The name can be translated as "crane - port " ( postage = port, gru = crane ), which is also reflected in the coat of arms with the two cranes according to the prevailing opinion. In the heyday of the Venetian Republic Portogruaro was in fact an important river port for the trade of Venice and the Crane was the typical bird of the former swampland. An alternative interpretation is derived from the name part of Latin Gruaro Gruarius ( guardians of the fields), what would the rural character of the area correspond Portogruaros.
History
The foundation of the city to a deed of Gervico, Bishop of Concordia, on January 10, 1140 back. With this certificate, the bishop left the harbor masters Giovanni Venerio, Arpone, Bertaldo, Berigoio, Enrico Mosca, Giovanni Salimbene and other land on the shores of Lemene for the construction of houses, warehouses as well as a river port. Is first mentioned the area of Portogruaro already in a privilege of Emperor Otto III. with which this transferred from the year 986 the bishop of Concordia dominion over the area.
Already in the 10th century must have existed a fortified building on the right bank of the Lemene, which was built by the bishops of the Diocese of Concordia as a residence because they are in the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Iulia Concordia (now Concordia Sagittaria ) is no longer reasonably certain felt.
Attractions
The area enclosed by a ring road historic center of Portogruaro is obtained in the style of a Venetian Gothic and almost completely. As architectural attractions particularly the Town Hall from the 13th century with a distinctive battlements, the leaning bell tower of the Cathedral of Portogruaro and the old mills are in the city center.
Fountain of Pilacorte
Just left of the Hall stands on an octagonal base one of the landmarks of Portogruaro, the crane fountain. It was designed in 1494 by the sculptor Giovanni Antonio Pilacorte. On the outer walls of the octagonal fountain basin are adjacent to the city coat of arms also those of Paolo Contarini and Jacopo Gabriel, probably late 15th century were Mayor, chiseled out. The two cranes are the work of Valentino Turchetto.
Originally, the crane fountain was removed something from its current location. It is fed by an underground cistern. From this cistern an inscription from 1598, which is located right next to the city arms, that the same was renewed by the mayor Giovanni Balbi to get clean water.
In the 18th century the fountain came on mysterious inexplicable way into private hands. It was not until 1908 he was returned solemn occasion of the inauguration of the public aqueduct to the community.
Twinning
Twinning existed since 1987:
- France Marmande, France
- Spain Ejea de los Caballeros, Spain
Personalities
Sons and daughters
- Antonio Panciera (1350-1431), Venetian Cardinal
- Giulio Camillo (1480-1544), creator of the memory theater
- Luigi Russolo (1885-1947), painter and composer of Futurism
Persons with special relationship with the city
- Julius Raab (1891-1964), Chancellor of Austria (1953-1961), saved as a company commander of the Austrian pioneers in November 1918, during the retreat, the historic bridge " Ponte dei Molini " in the center of the city from destruction.