It houses a wide collection of maps, pictures, plastic models, everyday tools and items, which show the transformation of the area of Sandonà from ancient times to nowadays in chronological order. An interesting ethnographic section enriches the collection.
The town's surroundings have undergone dramatic changes over the centuries, due to remarkable natural events and to man's presence and activities.
In ancient times this land consisted mainly of a chain of islands, peninsulas, a mainland area rich in forests populated by prized game, and lagoons with abundant fish preserves.
As a consequence of natural disorders and ruinous floods caused by the Piave, the main river which bends through the region, this land was turned into a marshy and unhealthy district.
Human intervention, particularly in 16th and 17th centuries during the government of the Republic of Venice (Serenissima Repubblica di San Marco), aiming to divert the rivers from the lagoon, worsened the situation of this land that was already below sea level. Towards the end of 19th century great works of reclamation were started in order to create more farmland and employment for the inhabitants.
At first many private entrepreneurs spent whole family fortunes in the difficult task of reclaiming the land from the sea. Then the government took their place with a great use of skill and muscular strength until the end of first half of this century.
Visitors may relive our ancestors' enormous toils whilst visiting the show-rooms and admiring the old everyday objects.
This land, turned into the fertile and luxuriant Sandonà farmland by the drainage works, is also rich in historical finds: the remains of the Via Annia, the Roman road which once linked Altino with Concordia Sagittaria; the Venetian town Eraclea (Heraclia), cradle of Venice and shelter for the refugees escaping from Oderzo (Opitergium) following the barbarian invasions of 7th century AD. Eraclea, the first seat of the government of the Lagoon Islands, was later dismantled and the marvellous city of Venice was built.
The exhibition continues with the canals dug by the Republic of Venice; the battlefield of World War I along the river Piave, where the Italians offered resistance to the enemy army and the following destruction of San Donà which was so great as to induce its inhabitants to temporarily abandon it
But the attachment of the 'Sandonatesi' to their homeland and the help of the State performed the miracle of its rebirth; nowadays San Donà is a modern and active town facing a prosperous future.
Expositive sections
The Archaeological Section was established because of the richness of the interesting finds from the reclaimed land. First of all, the remains of the ancient town Cittanova-Eraclea Veneta (Heraclia) are of great interest to historians who are working on an excavation programme.
At present the museum houses only a small quantity of archaeological items but we do hope to make it grow with the collaboration of the inhabitants and of the government to whom the building belongs.
The Land Reclamation Section represents the history and the results obtained from the grand defence and drainage works. Visitors may see the early marshes with their typical huts and the pioneers' reclamations, the first important works and their interruption due to World War I, the recovery and the final successful transformation of the whole territory into fertile farmland, its further increasing value through irrigation, the important problems of soil-conservation against floods and coastal erosion.
The Folklore Section exhibits concrete specimens of farming implements, tools used by craftsmen for the processing of agricultural produce, furniture, household goods and, clothing. It illustrates the activity and the way of life before land reclamation started.
The War Section reminds us of trench life and of the gory battles between the Italian and Austrian armies during World War I, which caused the complete destruction of San Donà and most of the drainage works.
Waiting to get more items to exhibit in the future, a few small rooms are dedicated to some distinguished fellow citizens: Monsignor Luigi Saretta, parish priest for a very long period starting from World War I; Count Giannino Ancillotto, Air Force ace decorated with the gold medal for military valour; Silvio Trentin a great jurist and patriot; Doctor Pietro Sepulcri activist in the fight against malaria.
Catalogues and brochures specifically illustrating
the items on display are available near the main entrance.
Citta' di San Dona' di Piave
Copyright
© 1995 1996; by ronchiato group srl
last modified 17 luglio 1996