The route we will be following is one of the most fascinating ones, not only because of its indisputable beauty but also because of the historical events that have occurred along it. Its origins, which are far more ancient than its current name (Strada Napoleonica) would suggest, date back to the early centuries.
The name “Terraleam” is quoted in several documents of the 11th century. This throughway has not only witnessed the continuous and peaceful passage of people, carts, chariots and commercial convoys, but also events of quite a different nature like invasions, battles, raids, ambushes, armies, kings and emperors.
The first centuries after the turn of the millennium were characterized by a great unrest in the whole area. The Peace of Costance in 1183 granted Treviso the right to be regarded an independent commune. The importance of the thoroughfare started to progressively increase after the fall of the Roman Empire.
The destruction of Altino and of its harbor that had become unusable due to the devastation and negligence of the famous Via Claudia Augusta, which originally joined the town to the Germanic regions, shifted all the traffic from the North to this thoroughfare due to the need of finding new outlets and port of calls along the coast.