Passeggiate Patrimoniali - Faroitaliaplatform

1. The ancient history of Tessera and Terzo (Ve)
Official findings say that Tessera and its surroundings have been anthropized since the 5th millennium BC. - The ancient Venetians developed stable with the settlement of the lagoon environment from the 6th-5th century BC ; With the coming of the Romans and the growth of Altino as a municipality of the empire, an alliance was formed, heralding economic development from the 2nd century. B.C. to the 4th century. A.c. with the ancient Venetians
Official findings say that Tessera and its surroundings have been anthropized since the 5th millennium BC. - The ancient Venetians developed stable with the settlement of the lagoon environment from the 6th-5th century BC ; With the coming of the Romans and the growth of Altino as a municipality of the empire, an alliance was formed, heralding economic development from the 2nd century. B.C. to the 4th century. A.c. with the ancient Venetians

On the left: Milestone representation n°75 of Terzo (3 miles from Altino) attributed to Constantine in 328 AD: «To the father of the country, proconsul, of human affairs, excellent prince, son of the divine Constantius, born for the good of the STATE »

Depiction of the milestone of Tessera n° 74 - loc.Ca Bianca, (5 miles from Altino), undated) «To the two lords of our emperors Augusti...father of the country...5». The attribution to the Augustans Galerius Maximian and Constantine (305/311 and 306/337 AD) is uncertain;

In “Archeology of the Venice lagoon, Ernesto Canal (1922-2015), Cierre Edizioni, 2015” the Roman era site no. 96 is mapped with the name of Sacca dei Ciossi or delle Case, near Punta Lunga: interchange system with Customs towers astride the Terzo or Sarmacio watercourse. The lagoon border line at the time was much further south (approximately - 3 meters the average sea level compared to today). The current lagoon was described by the Latin writer Marziale as a kind of bay (as Campi Flegrei Naples) where the Roman nobility could spend their holidays or retire as a reward for the Roman military campaigns

2. The Ancient history of Tessera and Terzo (ve)
Since the 3rd century. B.C. , following in the footsteps of the Venetians, the Romans built a network of consular roads for the passage of armies and commercial traffic from the entire empire to the north and east. In Venetia, 100 milestones were installed to facilitate travel in honor of the consuls and emperors who built or rebuilt the roads. The years (153 BC) connected to the Popilia (132 BC) passed in Tessera. Wells, small necropolises and traces of permanent settlements have been found along the streets

Self-produced map (Salicornie, PGV, PopiliaAnnia, 2021) with the findings along the route from Altino to Mestre. In blue a path highlighted by the Veneto Region. In red the southern route (Triestina and Orlanda axis) with the discovery of the milestones with two Roman stations (ad Tertium -Terzo, ad Nonum - Ponte di Pietra). From via Porto di Cavergnago, the Orlanda (a branch) also deviated towards Mestre, skirting Il Marzenego and via Bissagola the possible route towards the current square of Porta Altinate (Mestre market);

Tessera (VE): Markers in red of the Annia route (Flight Team 2007-2008 (P.Mozzi, A.Ninfo, S.Campana, basis for the preliminary Archaeological Way project for the airport Master Plan 2012-2021) To the north of the SS14 the traces of the Annia towards Campalto are highlighted. Near the «Quadrante» there are traces of routes that go towards Marcon and S.Liberale, passing from the ancient site of Litomarino diagonally coming from Ca' Noghera ( Val Pagliaga and Pagliaghetta). Near the 'Cattal' Idrovora, the Mausoleum with the great Roman Leguleio from 30-70 AD was found by Count Marcello (National Archaeological Museum of Altino);

3. The Ancient history of Tessera and Terzo (Ve)
Some finds found in the excavation campaigns for the expansion works of the Marco Polo airport. symbols of settled life throughout the years in the 2nd century. B.C. ; tombs (small necropolises) like the one found near the Galilean/Triestine rotunda (4th century BC)

Findings of ceramic materials from the Paleo Venetian period (4th-2nd century BC), Source: “Excavation report SS. 14 Triestina – Località Tessera – ANAS works – Construction of entrance roundabout at Marco Polo airport. Archaeological assistance. Florence Archaeological Cooperative SCARL, 2012-2013”. Rights reserved to: “SABAP for the Municipality of Venice and the Lagoon, by concession of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities.

Well findings from the Roman era, Source: “Excavation report SS. 14 Triestina – Località Tessera – ANAS works – Construction of entrance roundabout at Marco Polo airport. Archaeological assistance. Florence Archaeological Cooperative SCARL, 2012-2013”. Rights reserved to: “SABAP for the Municipality of Venice and the Lagoon, by concession of the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities

Decorative cast lead plaque used as an ornament, north-eastern Italic product from the Roman era. Intact artefact found at the Tessera salt marsh in the Sacca delle Case area (IG 143.206). Rights Reserved. By permission of the Ministry of Culture - Superintendence of Venice and the Lagoon, Prot. 7757

Roman Bases of the toll towers of Sacca delle Case, Punta Lungo Tessera. Source: E. Canal, Archeology of the Venice Lagoon, Cierre ed., 2013. Another of the 175 archaeological sites discovered by Ernesto Canal; Other images with bibliographical references on the history of the lagoon gutter can be found in the essay Salicornie by Popilia Annia, 2021 -2023;

4. The medieval history of Tessera and Terzo (Ve)
In this era the gutter sees continuous clashes, wars and pandemics. After the barbarians, the inhabitants of the gutter were threatened by the Lombards, Carolingians and Byzantines. In this context the territory held also thanks to the social work of the Centuron, Benedictine and Carthusian friars. Since the 14th century, there has been a certain development with the growth of the dominion and protection of the Serenissima republic throughout the mainland

Territory of the Pieve di Tessera of the century. XII (L.Gallo, Pieve, Territorio, Monastero, 1960); From this precious map the religious garrisons, that are part of “pieve” (religious territorial constituency), the consular Popilia (132 BC) formerly Annia (153 BC) are evident: the Tessera Tower and the small 10th century church stand out. of St. Helena Empress. Then S. Cipriano da Terra, S. Pietro di Terzo (to day adjacent Annia Park Hotel), S. Caterina da Parabiago (Ca' Noghera), S. Stefano with the ruins of ancient Altino. The churches of S. Maria delle Grazie and S. Antonio was mentioned in other documents, not represented and perhaps located in via Spigariola (ancient route of the Piovega);

Tessera (VE): Markers in red of the Annia route (Flight Team 2007-2008 (P.Mozzi, A.Ninfo, S.Campana, basis for the preliminary Archaeological Way project for the airport Master Plan 2012-2021) To the north of the SS14 the traces of the Annia towards Campalto are highlighted. Near the «Quadrante» there are traces of routes that go towards Marcon and S.Liberale, passing from the ancient site of Litomarino diagonally coming from Ca' Noghera ( Val Pagliaga and Pagliaghetta). Near the 'Cattal' Idrovora, the Mausoleum with the great Roman Leguleio from 30-70 AD was found by Count Marcello (National Archaeological Museum of Altino);

5. The medieval and modern history of Tessera and Terzo (VE)

THE THIRD TERRITORIES WERE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE PODESTA' AND CAPTAIN OF TREVISO UNTIL THE END OF THE 16TH CENTURY; WITH THE FINAL SETUP OF THE SERENISSIMA, UNDER THE DOGADO, THE CARThUSIaN CONTINUED TO HAVE EXEMPTIONS FROM DUTIES FOR AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES. THE PASTURES AND MEADOWS OF THE VILLA WERE RENTED FOR THE HERDS COMING DOWN FROM THE PEDEMOUNTAINS. With the unification of Italy (RD of 7 July 1866) various assets of the patriarchate - religious orders were made public and sold at auction to private individuals;

Depiction (representation) of memory in Terzo:

- Via Del Cristo, la Pantiera, Ca' Zorzi and Cà Mocenigo (Carthusian Oratory 15th-16th century): Here Christ was honoured, an ancient symbol of life in the gutter located in the atrium of the Convent. The Carthusians also managed the Chapel of St. Peter. (adjacent to the today Annia Park Hotel). – In the Land Registry of T. Scalfuroto (1719-1780) the Possessions of the Villas of Terzo and Tessera under Torcello are reported. The properties of the Carthusians, the Patriarchate of Venice and other private individuals are also indicated.

fig. 1: Second Military Survey 1869;

fig. 2 and 3: from AsVE “SAvi executors of the waters, deeds b.920, list of possessions of villas of Terzo and Tessera (Torcello). Authorization 9/2023 for the use of images taken by the AsVE photoreproduction laboratory- right reserved);

6. The contemporary history of Tessera and Terzo: the aerial vocation
During the 20th century one of the airfields for the defense of the Venetian territory was born right here. The current old hangar street takes its name from the buildings used before the '15-'18 war. The English and French allies participated in the defense actions to help the lagoon lines against the Austro-Hungarian enemy. From here the forts of the entrenched camp and other airfields in the Mestre area were born;

Tessera lagoon, near Forte Bazzera. Plane of the 4th Bleriot Squadron. It should be underlined that the lagoon gutter and the lagoon have been seen over time as the "mother and walls" of Venice. The territory has seen clashes and battles for its protection. Even during the Second World War, after the Resistance and the Liberation, there were reprisals until the Germans retreated. Thanks to the presence of men of valor and partisans in the Bazzera, Rossarol, Cosenz and Pepe forts, the "magnificent" Venice was able to be defended and the foundations laid for the reborn Italy after the long night of the war. Image taken from Mostra ass. cult. Campalto/Ebay postcard - Rights Reserved

The large hangar, in the Bazzera airfield complex. The structure was built together with the command building in via Cimitero in Campalto, which still exists today. Other foreign squadrons (English and French) such as the 1st of Nieuport 10 formed the "shield" called "ecadrille de protection de Venise". In the Mestre area, in addition to the forts, there were several airfields such as that of Ca' Tessera (via Borgo Pezzana) and others in Marcon and Malcontenta; Since 1958, all the homes of Terzo and Pantiera had to abandon the area of the new airport site, to make room for what would become one of the major national airports: Marco Polo. Image Central Museum of the Risorgimento in Rome - MCRR album C (43) - Rights reserved

The first deed examined, in the sources of the Patriarchate of Venice - Land Registry of Goods, appears for the small church of S. Elena. In fact, on November 30, 1089, the donation of the building in Romanesque-Byzantine style took place (probably built on a pre-existing chapel) by Bertaldo son of Drudon Archdeacon of the church of Treviso to the Monastery of San Benedetto in Poliron (MN) of 15 mansi of land , the first of which is in S. Elena.

The Tessera Tower is testimony to the artistic culture of Ravenna influenced by the Romanesque-Byzantine context. It is still well preserved and is 24 meters high and has a circumference of 14 meters at the base. It has a base made of trachyte ashlars and at the top it narrows where the mullioned windows of the belfry open with two bronze bells inside, one of which bears the casting date of 1509. The masonry is made with ancient bricks perhaps coming from recoveries of the remains of other artefacts. (Altino and/or other churches from the Pieve). The convent-oratory together with the Tower and Church were part of the context of the Benedictine Monastery which was established in 1139 when the Bishop of Treviso, Gregorio Giustiniani, consecrated the church and abbey to the name of S. Elena (mother of Constantine) entrusting its care to Abbot of S. Benedetto Pò (in Polirone - Mantua) under the rule of Matilde of Canossa. In 1294 the church with the adjoining Benedictine monastery passed to the convent of San Cipriano of Murano, as recalled by a decree issued in the same year by the bishop of Torcello. Subsequently the Monastery turns out to be one of the hospitals of the Archpriest of Mestre, for the reception and shelter of travelers and pilgrims. In fact, it is cited as such in the tithe notebooks of the years 1297-1330.

Table 2 AND 3 ( up to year 1866) documentary documents/sources-

-1089,30 Nov Donation of the Romanesque-Byzantine style building of the church of S. Elena (built much earlier on the basis of an existing ancient chapel) by Bertaldo son of Drudon, Archdeacon of the Church of Treviso al Monastero and Church of S. Benedetto in Poliron of 15 mansi of land, the first of which is in S. Elena, Source: APVe, “Catastico dei Beni di S.Cipriano”, 1766
-1121 Jul The prior of S. Cipriano receives half of the church of S. Elena di Tessera and a nearby plot cultivated by the bishop of Torcello, Source: Contract, ASve
-1139, 23 Feb The Malfato and Beltrame brothers (of the q. dam Cono di Spineda) sell two farms in Caltana, into the hands of Maldeberto, vicar of S. Cipriano and prior of Tessera Source: Mensa patr. 135-137 and Gloria, Dipl. Code. Hall II page 270-294
-1143 Treviso, Gregory bishop of Tv confirms the tithes on the villas of Tessera to the Monastery of S. Elena di Tessera, Terzo, Pagliaga, Source: Mainardus notarius
- 1164 September Murano, Adamo, prior of S. Elena di Tessera, having received land in Tessera in the Casatico area from Angelo da Molin, bishop of Torcello, undertakes to pay an annual fee in general, source: J. Magno clericus notarius
-1172, 2 Jan, Giovanni di Lonigo prior of S. Elena di Tessera invests Enrico di Guberto with land near Mogliano for 8 Veronese denarii lire and 6 deniers per year, Source: Pbr. Picolus notarius
-1198, 15 Oct Melio filio q. dam Alberto da Carbonera donates the place Fratris and Castelleto di Cardunera (TV) to Giacomo prior of Tessera, Source: Pellegrinus de Adua notarius
- 1294, 24 Oct The Priory of S. Elena with its assets and appurtenances is incorporated into the Monastery of S. Cipriano of Murano, Source: APVe
- 1306, 31 Mar Sentences on the differences between the Prior of S. Elena di Tessera and the Monastery of S. Andrea del Lido, Source: Pergamena arch. Carthusians now State of VE
- 1320, 4 March, Arbitration ruling on differences between the Prior Lorenzo of Tessera with the Monastery of S. Andrea del Lido and the Monastery of S. Eufemia of Mazzorbo, Source: parchment arch. Certosini di Ve, copy of the parish arch of Campalto
- 1338, 2 Dec ,The Venetian Doge Francesco Dandolo requests the nob. Marin Faliero (city of Venice), captain of Treviso and Podestà of Mestre the number of villages of the ancient Mestrino municipality through the merighi (mayors) of 29 villages, Source: Codice La Morosina, arch. Com. Mestre, (among the 29 villages there were Texera, Terso, Palliaga, Favro, Desio, S.Martinus, Tombellum, Calpoldum), Source L. Gallo, Tessera..,1960
- 1587 S. Cipriano was joined to the Patriarchal Mensa of Venice, Sources: APVe

- 1855 Last rental contract of the abbey assets of Tessera signed by the Cardinal Patriarch of Venice Angelo Ramazzotti with Mr. Checchin was Pasquale (called Badin was Pasquale who had lived in the Benedictine village for some time) and mentioned 215 and a half fields of Treviso size, in the municipality of Favaro, district of Mestre, Dep. of Brenta under the Lombard Veneto kingdom, Source: L. Gallo , APVe, Roncalli Mestre notary deed
- 1866 7 July Transfer from public auction (followed by Royal Decree "for the suppression of the Religious Corporations and on the Ecclesiastical Axis") to Mrs. Ceresa of the plots for a total of 1,017.38 fields, former S. Elena and Borgo Benedettino, Source: L. Gallo, Tessera, 1960

Figure:

FIGURE 1 (NOT POSTED HERE) DUCAL SEAL OF DOGE PIETRO GRADENIGO (1289-1311)
RIGHT SIDE: THE DOGE AND SAINT MARCO; LEFT SIDE: WRITING OF THE IST STONE S. ELENA - TESSERA;

FIGURE 2 ANCIENT COINS FOUND NEAR THE ANCIENT TOWER (L. GALLO, 1960)

LAST FIGURE ( NOT POSTED HERE) : coat of arms of the priory of S. Elena;

Table 4 .

Ancient crucifix (left side of the church).
There is no comment in the binding decree in this regard.
From some testimonies it could be dated to the 16th century. and perhaps coming from the ancient Church of S. Antonio, which disappeared following the phenomena of water ingression and eustatism, whose remains could be found near Punta Bazzera;

Holy water.

Ancient piece of greek roman marble style. This too could have been transported from ancient churches as mentioned above.
Figure: from the 13th century. of the patron saints of the Parish Church of Tessera and Terzo (from L.Gallo, Tessera, Pieve…): S. Pietro di Terzo (Chapel managed by the Carthusians and Disappeared, 15th-16th century, location. Former Tessera football field – Annia Resort) ; S. Antonio abbot, S. Elena empress wife of the Emperor Constantius and mother of Constantine, S. Caterina V.M., of Alessandria – Church of the same name in Ca'Noghera; (additional note on the paintings of the Via Crucis: paintings of probable pictorial interest in the French context);

Table 5

The altarpiece of Empress St. Helena; Author: not id.

Historical notes of Empress St. Helena
ELENA: Born in Drepanum (Türkiye) in 248 AD. and died in Trier (Germany) in 329 AD.
She married Constantius (great emperor mentioned in the milestones of Constantine of Terzo-Tessera).
She had humble origins, but she was noticed by Costanzo on whom she depended.
The emperor marries her, but after 21 years she is abandoned for reasons of state.
His son Constantine is entrusted to Diocletian and studies as Emperor.
Her life was dedicated to Christianity, in particular to the poor and she was often in Palestine with the pilgrims in constant search of the nativity (and the nativity scene) and above all the Cross.
This is the reason why she is portrayed in the altarpiece of S. Elena (Ancient Tower of Tessera) with the Cross in her arms.
When Constantine was appointed Emperor (306 AD), also thanks to the intercession of his mother Helena, with the Edict of Milan (313 AD) he recognized full freedom of worship for Christians, initially persecuted by the Romans.

Table 6

The altarpiece of S. Antonio Abate Author: not id.
The Decree indicates the Saint represented as St. Anthony the Abbot but places a question in brackets: Perhaps St. Jerome?
The historian L. Gallo (1960) describes the altarpiece as coming from the ancient Church of S. Antonio located in via Spigariola which reached near the current Punta Bazzera between the Piovega pit and the canal de Tessera. However, origin not ascertained.

Historical notes of the two Saints S. Antonio and S. Girolamo
St. Anthony the Abbot: Anthony the Abbot, called St. Anthony the Great, also known as St. Anthony of Egypt, St. Anthony of the Fire, St. Anthony of the Desert and St. Anthony the Anchorite (Qumans, 12-1-251 – Thebaid desert, 17-1-356), was an Egyptian abbot and hermit. He seems to have also been sought for advice by the Emperor Constantine. He is considered the founder of Christian monasticism and the first of the abbots; He was responsible for the permanent establishment of families of monks who, under the guidance of a spiritual father, Abba, consecrated themselves to the service of God. He is considered the protector against epidemics of certain diseases, both of man and of animals.
St. Jerome: Jerome (Tridon 347- Bethlehem 420) was the first to translate the Bible from Hebrew into Latin. He was a friend of Heliodorus - Bishop of Altino whom he frequented on some occasions and who had a lot of influence on the foundation of Venice in S. Giacometo di Rivo Alto, in 421 with the 4 bishops and some consuls, even if Heliodorus did not participated;

Table 7.

The altarpiece in the apse of the Church of S. Elena and S. Antonio Abate is dedicated to the Madonna in Glory with Child from the Veneto area concept;
Probable author: Andrea Michieli (known as il Vicentino );

Historical notes of S.S. Mary
The feast of the Nativity of Mary was introduced by Pope Sergius I (7th century) in the wake of oriental tradition. The nativity of the Virgin is closely linked to the coming of the Messiah, as promise, preparation and fruit of salvation. Aurora preceding the sun of justice, Mary announces the joy of the Savior to the whole world.
WHAT IS THE THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE?
From eternity, the Father works for the preparation of the all-Holy One, of She who was to become the mother of his Son, the temple of the Holy Spirit. The geneaology of Jesus proposed by the Gospel of Matthew culminates in the expression «Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus called Christ was born». With Mary, therefore, the hour of the definitive David has come, of the full establishment of the kingdom of God. With her birth, the womb offered by humanity to God takes shape so that the incarnation of the Word in the history of men takes place. Finally, Mary as a child is also an image of the new humanity, the one from which her Son will remove the heart of stone to give her a heart of flesh that accepts the precepts of God in docility.

Passeggiata patrimoniale Punta Lunga - Torre antica di Tessera (VE)