CASTELFRANCO VENETO

castelfranco veneto, a town and episcopal see of venetia, italy, in the province of treviso, 16 m. w. by rail from the town of treviso. pop. (1901) 5220 (town), 12,551 (commune). the older part of the town is square, surrounded by medieval walls and towers constructed by the people of treviso in 1218 (see cittadella). it was the birthplace of the painter giorgio barbarelli (il giorgione, 1477-1512), and the cathedral contains one of his finest works, the madonna with ss. francis and liberalis (1504), in the background of which the towers of the old town may be seen.