Motta di Livenza
Motta di Livenza sorge sulle rive del fiume Livenza, nella pianura trevigiana orientale, a ridosso del confine con il Friuli Venez...
Ενημερώθηκε στις 11 Ιουλίου 2026
Η ιστορία
Η ιστορία του/της Motta di Livenza
History and origins
Motta di Livenza owes its name to its strategic position on a rise, or 'motta', along the Livenza river, a historic crossing point between the Treviso plain and Friuli. The town developed as an administrative and commercial centre under the Republic of Venice, which placed the seat of the podestà and local magistracy in the Palazzo della Loggia. The decisive turning point in the town's history came on 9 March 1510, when, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to an elderly farmer, Giovanni Cigana, in a field near a wayside shrine at the crossroads to Oderzo and Redigole. As early as April of that same year, the first Franciscan friars arrived in Motta to build a church on the site of the apparition, completed in 1514.
The Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli
The Basilica-Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli is by far the most important monument in Motta di Livenza and one of the best-known Marian shrines in the northeast. Raised to the rank of minor basilica by Pope Pius IX in January 1875, it preserves the memory of the 1510 apparition and remains a destination for organised pilgrimages from across the region, especially around Marian anniversaries. The building, visually striking, dominates the surrounding urban fabric and represents the religious and civic heart of the town.
The historic centre and Piazza Luzzatti
Reachable on foot in about fifteen minutes from the sanctuary along Viale Madonna, Motta's historic centre gathers around Piazza Luzzatti, enclosed by the colourful facades of centuries-old palazzi, among which 'la Castella' stands out, once the residence of Cardinal and papal nuncio Girolamo Aleandro. The square also faces the Palazzo della Loggia, which in the fifteenth century housed the seat of the podestà and today hosts art exhibitions. Nearby stands the Duomo, less striking than the basilica but still worth a visit, while Via Contarini preserves the Castella building with its Centro Arti Visive.
The Livenza river and its border position
The Livenza crosses the municipal territory and has always served as a route for communication and trade, as well as a natural boundary between Treviso province and Friuli. Its banks, today walkable along a scenic stretch between the sanctuary and the town centre, offer a green counterpoint to the town's architecture. Its proximity to Friuli Venezia Giulia makes Motta di Livenza a point of cultural exchange, where Veneto and Friulian customs coexist seamlessly.
How to get there and location
Motta di Livenza lies in the eastern Treviso plain, about thirty kilometres from Treviso and a short distance from Pordenone, in Friuli Venezia Giulia. It is well connected by the Postumia state road and public transport links to both regions, making it a convenient stop for those travelling between Veneto and Friuli.
Experiences not to miss
- Visitare il Santuario Basilica della Madonna dei Miracoli
- Visit the Basilica-Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli
Αξιοθέατα
What to see in Motta di Livenza
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Motta di Livenza
Jobs · JobFlow
