Susegana

History

Traces of human presence from the late Bronze Age have been found in Susegana area. During the Roman age it was crossed by the Via Claudia Augusta, with the likely presence of some settlements near it. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, the area was conquered by the Lombards; later the abbey of Follina acquired the area and favoured its flourishment. In the 12th century a castle was founded on a hill by the counts of Treviso (later of Collalto), also of Lombard origin. In 1245 counts receveid another hill, that of San Salvatore, by the commune of Treviso, and built here another fortress.

In 1806, during the French occupation of Italy, a commune named San Salvador was established here, which later received the current name of Susegana. The centre was badly damaged by bombings during World War I. After the 1960s, it expanded as an industrial centre thanks to the Zanussi plant (modern Electrolux), producing home appliances.

Main sights

The Church of Visitazione della Beata Vergine (13th century, rebuilt most likely in the 15th century) houses an altarpiece by Il Pordenone (16th century) and 15th frescoes, rediscovered after restorations begun in 1984. It was damaged during World War I, and later restored.

The Castello San Salvatore was begun in 1323 by Rambaldo III di Collalto and finished by his successor Schenella V. It has a double line of wall, enclosing an area of 32,000 m² (340,000 sq ft). It was later enlarged and embellished, receiving the 17th century Palazzo Odoardo. It was nearly destroyed in the course of World War I by the Italian artillery, after the route of Caporetto.

The remains of Roman bridges on the Piave river and the Crevada stream, see Susegana Bridge