Monastier di Treviso
Monastier di Treviso is a small agricultural municipality east of Treviso, halfway between the city and the Venetian coast, in a f...
Updated 12 July 2026
The story
The story of Monastier di Treviso
History and origins
Monastier's history revolves entirely around its abbey, whose founding is traditionally attributed to Emperor Otto I in 958, on a site that had already been a river port in Roman times. Dependent on the Patriarchate of Aquileia, the monastery came to control the entire territory between the Piave and Vallio rivers up to the Venetian lagoon, often clashing with the clergy of Treviso and with Ezzelino da Romano. In 1200 its dedication changed from San Pietro to Maria Assunta. Between 1449 and 1479 the abbey was turned into a commenda and fell into decline, later reviving under the Cassinese Benedictine congregation of Santa Giustina in Padua.
The abbey and its modern fate
At the height of its splendour, the abbey housed not only monks but also lay workers engaged mainly in winegrowing. The Napoleonic suppressions of 1797, following the fall of the Republic of Venice, ended monastic life there. In 1837, under Austrian rule, the complex and most of its property were sold to the Ninni family, of Greek origin, who still live there today. During the First World War, due to its proximity to the Piave front, the abbey was turned into a military hospital, while its bell tower was used by the Austrians as an artillery reference point — which is precisely why it was spared from the bombing.
Landscape and territory
Monastier's territory is typical of the lower Treviso plain: cultivated fields, tree rows and a dense network of minor waterways that once powered mills and farming activities linked to the monastery. There are no hills or major standalone natural attractions, but rather an orderly agricultural landscape best appreciated by bicycle, riding along country roads toward the Piave river a few kilometres away. It is a transitional territory between the Treviso hinterland and the coast, historically a crossroads for river trade.
Local life and economy
Today Monastier di Treviso is mainly a residential and agricultural municipality, with a stable population living between the main village and hamlets scattered across the countryside. Farming remains a key activity, alongside small craft and commercial businesses tied to everyday village life. There are no major industrial settlements: proximity to Treviso and the Piave area makes it more a quiet residential place for people working in nearby towns, while still keeping a strong sense of identity rooted in its abbey's history.
How to get there and surroundings
Monastier di Treviso lies about 14 kilometres east of Treviso and roughly twenty kilometres from the Venetian hinterland, easily reached by car via the provincial roads connecting the city to the Piave area. It makes a good starting point for routes toward the Piave river, the neighbouring towns of the Marca Trevigiana, and, further afield, the Brenta Riviera and the Venice lagoon. As there is no direct railway station, a visit is typically organised by car or bicycle as part of a broader itinerary.
Experiences not to miss
- Visit the Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta, among the oldest in Veneto
- Stroll through the small historic centre and admire the rural Treviso architecture
- Cycle along the country roads toward the Piave river
- Discover traces of the First World War linked to the Piave front
- Sample local farm produce at the small businesses of the area
To see
What to see in Monastier di Treviso
Routes · Trovido Route
