DIE CASANOVA TOUR
von Pablo Günther

( InhaltTeil XI:
POSTSTRASSEN (Teile IX - XV)  -  Casanovas Reisewege (auf Englisch): -   3. Vienna-Venice  -  4. Venice-Geneva  -  5. Frankfurt-Dresden  - 6. Bologna-Augsburg  . (Teil XII )

3. VIENNA - VENICE
Via Graz, Laibach, Trieste, Palmanova / Udine and Treviso.
680 km.
From Wien to Trieste
500 km "Eilwagen" (flying stage coach), in 4 days
P 5305 8301^ 8306
   WIEN
  N 17 Traiskirchen
  " Wiener Neustadt
  " Neunkirchen
  " Schottwien
  " - Semmering - Pass - (900 mh)
    (road built in 1728)
 100 N 306 Mürzzuschlag
  N 6 Krieglach
  N 116 Mürzhofen
 40 " Bruck a.d. Mur
  N 35 Röthelstein
  " Peggau
 60 N 67 Graz
  " Kalsdorf
  " Lebring
  (N 67) Ehrenhausen
 70 L + N 10 Maribor/Marburg
  N 10 Sl.Bistrica/Feistriz
  L Konjice/Gonobitz
  L Celje/Cilli
  N 6(?) Vransko(?)/Frantz
  ? ? /St.Oswald
  ? ? /Potpetsch
 130 N 6 Ljubljana/Laibach
  " Vrhnika/Ober-Laibach
  ? ? /Loitsch (Lasse)
  N 6 Postojna/Adelsberg
  ? ? /Prawald
  N 6 Sezana/Sesana
 100 N 58 TRIESTE
The Flying Coach from Trieste to Venice: Casanova's Postal Memorandum.
The post road, modified by Casanova in 1773, via Udine. - Post-map by Walch, Augsburg, 1803 (cutting). Collection Hans Kohl, Heiligkreuzsteinach. Photo: PG.
When living in Trieste from the end of 1772 until September 1774, Casanova was involved in a diplomatic initiative of the Venetian Government concerning the postal route between the two cities. He relates [HL,vol.XII/9,p.197f.] that the Venetian Consul in Trieste, Marco de' Monti "told me that he had been vainly trying for years to persuade the Government of Trieste to allow the diligence [flying coach] which made the journey between Mestre and that city once a week to lengthen it by only one stage to pass through Udine, the capital of Venetian Friuli."
The Consul asked Casanova to think of arguments which could convince the Government; a successful conclusion could accelerate his return to Venice. Casanova had the good fortune to be supported by the Governor of Trieste, Count Auersperg, against the stubborn councillors.
"Seeing that I was on sure ground, I wrote a memorandum to which no one could reply except by tergiversating. The Council decreed that in future the diligence should pass through Udine both going and returning."
The post-map on this page shows the new route. Casanova received an payment of one hundred silver ducats [4,000 d.] and was able to return to his native city the following year.
 From Trieste to Venezia
180 / 200 km (old and new post road).
Trieste - Monfalcone/Jamiano (25 km):
P 5305 K 7212+ Zaguri + Pittoni L 7212^+ Pittoni L 7309 L 7401^ 7409
7611^ 7611 8209^ 8301 8301^ 8306
   TRIESTE [Austria]
  N 14 (PROSECCO)
  " Santa Croce
 25 " Monfalcone, near Jamiano
1. Excursion: Jamiano - Spessa:
45 km
K 7212+ Zaguri + Pittoni L 7309 L 7401^ 7409
   Jamiano
 20 N 55 GORIZIA
K 7309, K 7311^+ Count Torriano
   GORIZIA
 25 N 56 + N 356 (SPESSA)
2. Excursion: Gorizia - Visco - Monfalcone:
40 km
K 7212+ Zaguri (to Visco) + Pittoni 7409 (to Gradisca)
   GORIZIA
  N 351 Gradisca
 20 N 252 (Visco, in front of Palmanova)
  back to Gradisca
 20 N 305 Monfalcone
Monfalcone/Jamiano - Pordenone:
1. Old route until 1773/74 (70 km):
P 5305
   Monfalcone
 15 N 14 (Cervignano) [Republic of Venice]
 10 N 352 Palmanova
 20 N 252 Codroipo
 25 N 13 Pordenone
2. New route (organized by Casanova) from 1774 onwards (90 km):
7409 (from Gradisca) 7611^ 7611 8209^ 8301 8301^ 8306
   Jamiano (near Monfalcone)
 15 L Gradisca
 10 N 252 + L Nogaredo [Republic of Venice]
 20 L + N 352 UDINE
 20 N 13 Codroipo
 25 " Pordenone
(Excursion to Pasiano: see below.)
Pordenone - Venezia (85 km):
P 4204^ P 4205 P 4309^ P 4309 P 5305 7409 7611^ 7611 8209^ 8301 8301^
8306
   Pordenone
  N 13 Sacile
  " Conegliano
 55 " TREVISO
P 4204^ P 4205 P 4309^ P 4309 P 5305 V 5611^+ Father Balbi 7409 7611^
7611 8209^ 8301 8301^ 8306 P 8306^
   TREVISO
 20 N 13 MESTRE
R 4204^ R 4205 R 4309^ R 4309 R 4901^ R 4901 R 5305 R 5611^+ Father
Balbi R 7409 R 7611^ R 7611 R 8209^ R 8301 R 8301^ R 8306 R 8306^
   MESTRE
 10 lagoon VENEZIA
Excursion: Pordenone - Pasiano (" A Favourable Thunderstorm"):
L 4204 L 4205^ L 4309 L 4309^
   Pordenone
  L (Prata di Pordenone)
  L (Visinale) [VILLA GOZZI]
  L (CECCHINI)
 15 L (PASIANO) [VILLA Saccomani / MONTEREALE]
The former Villa Montereale where Casanova lodged. Today called Villa Saccomani, which is to become the townhall. - Photo: cover of a prospectus by the community of Pasiano di Pordenone, in which Casanova's sojourn is mentioned.

4. VENICE - GENEVA
Via Verona / Mantova, Milano, Torino, and the Grand Saint Bernard Pass.
700 km.
1749: Casanova's First Travelling Carriage,
and with his Greatest Love, Henriette, to Geneva.
From Venezia to Milano via Verona
270 km.
Venezia - Padova:
40 km. By boat ("Burchiello"), horse, post wagon, English Coupé.
R 3404 the very first journey R 3503^ R 3504 R 3705^ R 3706 R 3910^
R 4404^ (R 4405) (R 4501^) R 4902 R 5002^ R 7906, R 7907^+ Del Bene
R 8007 R 8007^
   VENEZIA Piazzetta
 5 Laguna FUSINA
R 3404 R 3503^ R 3504 R 3705^ R 3706 R 3910^
   FUSINA
    .    .
  lock  DOLO [the lock painting by A. Canal.]
 35 F. Brenta PADOVA
Post road Padova - Fusina:
P 4404 (4405^) (4501) P 4902^ C2 5002 H 5403 fall
K 7906^, K 7907+ Del Bene 8007^ 8007
   PADOVA
  N 11 (FIESSO)
  &c DOLO
   (MIRA)
   (ORIAGO)
 35  FUSINA
Padova - Milano:
230 km Post wagon; hired carriage.
P 4902 L 5403+ Pier A. Capretta+ Signora C. L 5403^
   PADOVA
  N 11 Arlésega
 30 " VICENZA
P 4902
  N 11 VICENZA
  &c Montebello
   Caldiero
 50  VERONA
   Castelnuovo
   Desenzano
   Ponte S.Marco
   Brescia
   Ospitaletto
   Chiari
   Antegnate
   Caravággio [Duchy of Milano (Austria)]
   Cassano d'Adda
   Cassina de Pecchi (posthouse: Cascina Colombirolo)* / Colombarolo
                                                                                [discovered and photos by Laura Franchini]
 150  MILANO
---------------------------------------------
* Laura Franchini (2001): On the Main Road PADANA SUPERIORE N.11, 11 Km before Gorgonzola (dir. MI to Cassano D'Adda), the CASCINA COLOMBIROLO (this is its new denomination) is still existing.
I made some interviews around and I could find the following:
   * The "Cascina" (=farm-house) is located at the end of a village Cassina De Pecchi. (Thanks to a friend on mine, I also could find an old Army map, where the place is clearly indicated).
  * It takes its name from the word COLOMBO=pigeon. In ancient times it was a Post Stage, but also a carrier pigeon stage....(there are still a lot of pigeons living here).
   * In the cascina there is now a restaurant called "Al Bruzio", a blacksmith, a glass worker, a building soc.
   * The present owner of this place is a Lady, Mrs. Rabuzzini.
----------------------------------------------
Excursion: from Milano to Lugano and the Isole Borromee:
120 km Post wagon; boat; horse.
P 6907 P 6912^
   MILANO
  N 35 Barlassina
  " Como
 60 N 2 Capolago [Switzerland]
R 6907 R 6912^
  Lago di Lugano Capolago (posthouse? at the pier)
 15 LUGANO
H 6909 H 6909^ [fall]
   LUGANO
  N 23 (Tresa)
 25  (Luino) [Duchy of Milano]
R 6909 R 6909^
  Lago Maggiore (Luino)
 20 (ISOLE BORROMEE)
From Milano to Venezia via Cremona and Mantova
365 km
Milano - Pontelagoscuro:
235 km Post wagon; boat; English Coupé.
P 4903 C1 4911^, C1 4911+ Henriette
   MILANO
.  . 
  N 9 Melegnano * (discovered and photos by: Laura Franchini)
 30 " LODI
  N 9 Zorlesco
 20 " (Casalpusterlengo)
---------------------------------------------------
* Laura Franchini (2001): In his memoirs C. describes the excursion from S.Angelo Lodigiano to Milano and return with Clementina. (I'll not repeat the exact text in the Memoirs, as you can easily consult it).
Anyway C. tells us that, going from S.A. to Milan, at about midway, they stopped in village to let the horses rest for a while. Actually he does not speack about a Post stage, but it is easy to believe that their coachman decided to stop in a place with some services available even for the passengers.
The way connecting, at that time, (and even today) Piazza Cordusio (downtown Milan) and Sant'Angelo Lodigiano runs through:
(1st mile) Duomo, Piazza Missori,
C.so di Porta Romana (city walls door),
(2nd mile) C.so Lodi,
(3rd mile) Rogoredo.......from here the route is called now via Emilia,
(4th mile) San Martino,
(5th mile) San Donato.......where I live, ..............
(9th mile) Cascina Rampina ..."Mutatio ad Nonum"!
In ancient times this way was called "Mediolanum Laus Pompeia", then "via Romea" or "Strada Romana". It was already existing at the time of Romans in 222 a.C.
The 9th mile is the one we are intersted in! I.e. the place where I think C. could have stopped.....9th mile is at about midway between San Angelo and Milan.
Further, the site is exactly a fork.....among Milano/Lodi or Sant Angelo.
The Cascina Rampina (=small climb) has always been a Post Stabe (sice the time of the Romans (from this the latin name Mutatio ad Nonum) with an Osteria (=tavern). still now there is a nice restaturant called "RAMPINA ANTICA OSTERIA". It must not have been changed much from 1763!!
At that time, in the "Cascina" lived 9 families, and about 40 people. The host was Mr. Giovanni Cocco. In the site there was also a Prestino (=bakery), and the Stallazzo (=stable) ...a painted sign on the main wall is still indicating this facility.
---------------------------------------------------
Excursion:
C8 6303, C8 6303^+ Clementina
   MILANO
 15 N 9 Melegnano (see pictures and notice by Laura Franchini above)
 15 L (S.ANGELO)
 10 L LODI (photos: Laura Franchini)
Link:
C1 4911, C1 4911^+ Henriette
   PIACENZA
 15 N 9 (Casalpusterlengo)
P 4903
   (Casalpusterlengo)
  N 234 Pizzighettone
  " CREMONA
  ? Alla Pieve / N 10 Cicognolo
  ? S.Pietro Medegallo / N 10 Piádena
  N 10 Bózzolo
  " Castellucchio
 95 " MANTOVA
R 4905
   MANTOVA
 90 Mincio + Po (PONTE LAGO SCURO)
 Venezia - Pontelagoscuro by boat:
130 km Boat ("peota").
R 5006
  Laguna VENEZIA
 130 F. Po (PONTELAGOSCURO)
 From Torino to Milano via Novara
145 km Post wagon
C2 5001^ C8 6302 P 6907 P 6912^
   TORINO
  N 11 Settimo
 25 " Chivasso
P 6907 P6912^
   Chivasso
  N 11 Cigliano
  &c S.Germano
 50  Vercelli
   Orfengo
   Novara
 40 F.Ticino Boffalora [Duchy of Milano]
  N 11 Sedriano
 30 " MILANO
From Torino to Milano via Pavia
145 km English Coupé
C2 5001^ C8 6302 P 6907 P 6912^
   TORINO
  N 11 Settimo
 25 " Chivasso
C8 6302
   Chivasso
 45 N 31 bis CASALE Monferrato
 30 N 596 dir. Mortara
 35 N 596 PAVIA [Duchy of Milano]
C8 6302 C8 6303^+ la Crosin
   PAVIA
  N 35 (CERTOSA DI PAVIA)
  " Binasco
 35 " MILANO
 From Genève to Torino over the Grand St. Bernard
310 km English Coupé "Genève 1"; mules; post wagon.
C2 5001
   GENEVE
  N 5 Douvaine [Kingdom of Sardinia]
  " Thonon
  " Evian
  " St.Gingolph
  N 21 Vionnaz [Switzerland]
  " St.Maurice
  " Martigny
 125 " Orsières
M 5001 In 3 days  - The dismantled Coupé on 4 mules, Casanova, his case and his servant on 3 others. The old (Roman) path is sometimes easy to recognise.
The road was built in 1905.
   Orsières
   Bourg-St.Bernard
   - COLLE DEL GRAN SAN BERNARDO - (2473 mh)
    Monastery with hospice, built in 1680/1822.
    Founded in 962 by Bernhard von Menthon.
 40 N 21 St.Rhémy [Kingdom of Sardinia]
C2 5001
   St.Rhémy
  N 27 Aosta
  N 26 Chatillon
  " Donnas
  " Ivrea
  L Foglizzo
 120 L Chivasso
C2 5001 C8 6302^ P 6907^ P 6912
   Chivasso
  N 11 Settimo
 25 " TORINO

5. FRANKFURT - DRESDEN
Via Fulda, Eisenach, Weimar and Leipzig.
440 km.
1752/53: With Post Wagons through German Countries.
From Frankfurt to Leipzig
340 km
P 5211+ Francesco Casanova C16 8312+ Francesco Casanova
   FRANKFURT (T&T 1600)
 20 N 40 Hanau (T&T 1651)
P 5211+ Francesco Casanova
  " Hanau (T&T 1651)
  N 43 Gelnhausen (T&T 1660)
  " Salmünster (T&T 1729)
  " Schlüchtern (T&T 1703)
  " Neuhof (T&T 1628)
 80 " Fulda (T&T 1677)
  N 27 Hünfeld (T&T 1628)
  N 84 Vacha (T&T 1628)
  " Eisenach (T&T 1693)
  N 7 Gotha (T&T 1693)
  " Erfurt (T&T 1636)
 140 " Weimar (T&T 1704)
P 5211+ Francesco C. K 9509^, 9509+ Mélampige II
  N 7 Weimar (T&T 1704)
 20 " Jena (T&T 1693)
  N 88 Naumburg [Electorate of Saxony]
  N 87 Weissenfels
 80 " LEIPZIG
From Leipzig to Dresden
100 km
P 5211+ Francesco C. C12 6610^ C12 6610 P 8401 C17 8809^ C17 8810
   LEIPZIG
  N 6 Wurzen
  " Calbitz
  " Seerhausen
  " Meissen
 100 " DRESDEN

6. BOLOGNA - AUGSBURG
Via Ferrara / Legnago, Padova, Venezia, Treviso, Feltre / Bassano, Borgo,
Trento, Brenner Pass, Innsbruck, Mittenwald and Partenkirchen / Munich.
510 km.
1756: Casanova's Famous Escape Out of the Venetian State Prison.
Tuesday, 17th June 1783, at dawn: Casanova left Venice forever and set off
for his last grand tour - of eight months - to Germany,
the Netherlands, France, Prussia and Austria.

Bologna - Ferrara or Revere - Venezia - Feltre or Bassano - Trento - Innsbruck
From Bologna to Venezia
160 km Vetturino; Post wagon; English Coupé; boat; horse; gondola.
1. Bologna - Monsélice (via Revere, 160 km):
Casanova left the direct post road to avoid the quarantine at the Venetian frontier.
V 4404
   BOLOGNA [Ecclesiastical State]
   S.Giorgio *
   (Cento) *
   (Bondeno) *
 65 N 496 (Pilastri) * [Duchy of Mantova (Austria)]
  " (Poggio Rusco) *
 25 N 12 REVERE
  Ferry on river Po
   OSTIGLIA
   Sanguinetto * [Republic of Venice] [* = supposition.]
  30 N 10 LEGNAGO
P 4404
   LEGNAGO
  N 10 Bevilacqua
  " Montagnana
  " Este
 40 " Monsélice
2. Monsélice - Bologna directly (via Ferrara):
100 km
(4405) (4501^) C2 5002^ K 7906, K 7907^+ Del Bene
   Monsélice
  N 16 ROVIGO
 45 " (PONTE LAGO SCURO)
(4405) (4501^) P 4905 C2 5002^ P 5006 K 7906, K 7907^+ Del Bene
   (PONTE LAGO SCURO) [Ecclesiastical State]
  N 16 FERRARA
  N 64 + L Poggio
  L S.Giorgio
 55 L BOLOGNA
Venezia - Pontelagoscuro by boat:
130 km Peota
R 5006
  lagoon  VENEZIA
 130 river Po (PONTELAGOSCURO)
Monsélice - Fusina:
P 4404 (4405^) (4501) C2 5002 K 7906^, K 7907+ Del Bene
8007^ (to Abano) 8007 (from Abano)
   Monselice
 20 N 16 PADOVA
P 4404 (4405^) (4501) P 4902^ C2 5002 H 5403 [fall]
K 7906^, K 7907+ Del Bene 8007^ 8007
   PADOVA
  N 11 (FIESSO)
  " DOLO
  " (MIRA)
  " (ORIAGO)
 35 " FUSINA

The former post station of Fusina. Here the Brenta-channel (left) flows into the lagoon of Venice. Photo: PG.
Fusina - Padova (with the postboat "Burchiello"):
R 3404 R 3503^ R 3504 R 3705^ R 3706 R 3910^
   FUSINA
  (lock) DOLO
 35 F. Brenta PADOVA
Venezia - Fusina:
R 3404 R 3503^ R 3504 R 3705^ R 3706 R 3910^ R 4404^ (R 4405) (R 4501^)
R 4902 R 5002^ R 7906, R 7907^+ Del Bene R 8007 R 8007^
   VENEZIA Piazzetta
 5 Laguna FUSINA
Excursion:
L 4901 L 4901^
   MESTRE
 15 N 13 + L (ZERO BRANCO)
From Venezia to Borgo Valsugana
In 1756: escape out of the palazzo ducale with Father Balbi.
120 km Gondola; post wagon; on foot; on donkey; vetturino.
Venezia - Treviso:
30 km
R 4204 R 4205^ R 4309 R 4309^ R 4901 R 4901^ R 5611
R 7409^ R 7611 R 7611^ R 8209 R 8301^ R 8301 R 8306^ R 8306
   VENEZIA Piazzetta
 10 Laguna MESTRE
P 4204 P 4205^ P 4309 P 4309^ V 5611 7409^ 7611 7611^ 8209
8301^ 8301 8306^ P 8306
   MESTRE
 20 N 13 TREVISO
Treviso - Borgo Valsugana via Feltre:
100 km Treviso - Feltre: a road-distance of 55 km, though Casanova
  walked about 30 hours, according to his own words.
 F 5611+ Balbi to the Montello; then alone to Borgo Valsugana.
1. November 1756
   TREVISO
 7 hours  (IL MONTELLO) forest on the right bank of the Piave.
 1 hour? over Piave (VAL DI DOBIADENE) about 15 km along the valley of the Piave. Passing the night in the house of the bailiff of the sbirrs (policemen) who was absent in search of Casanova and Balbi.
2. November
 along the left bank of the Piave:
 5 hours Little church; joined in the mass.
 7 hours Spending the night in the house near the Piave of Consul Rombenchi.
3. November
  over Piave (near Caorera?) with ferry; direction Feltre:
 5 hours N 348 Lunch in a monastery of the Capuchins.
 2 hours " In the house of the bill-broker; got 6 sequins.
 2 hours " Spending the night in a farmhouse.
4. November: to Borgo Valsugana
  near: (FELTRE) bought boots and overcoat.
A 5611 hired donkey. 20 km.
  near: (FELTRE)
 4 50 bis (Artén)
 8 " (Arsié)
 5 " (Fastro)

The frontier-fortress La Scala, today also known as Forte della Tagliata, near Primolano. - Map of about 1750 (cutting). Collection Count Giorgio Ricci Luppis, Pasiano di Pordenone. Photos: PG.
 1 " (LA SCALA) [ frontier-fortress (photos)]
    Succesfull end of the escape!
 2 " Primolano [Bishopric Trento / Austria]
V 5611 with a wagon and two horses. P 8306
   Primolano
 25 N 47 BORGO VALSUGANA
Treviso - Borgo Valsugana via Bassano:
90 km
P 8306
  N 13 TREVISO
 20 N 53 Castelfranco Veneto
 15 N 47 BASSANO del Grappa
 30 " Primolano [Bishopric Trento / Austria]
V 5611 P 8306
   Primolano
 25 N 47 BORGO VALSUGANA
 From Borgo Valsugana to Mittenwald
250 km Vetturino; hired carriage; stage coach; his chaise "Innsbruck".
V 5611+ Balbi  P 8306
   BORGO VALSUGANA
  N 47 PERGINE
 35 " TRENTO
  N 12 S.Michele all'Adige
  " Egna Neumarkt [Tyrol / Austria]
  " Bronzolo Branzoll
 60 " BOLZANO BOZEN
L 5611+ Balbi  P 8306
   BOLZANO
  N 12 Deutschen (before Campodazzo)
  " Colma Kollmann (photo: PG)
  " Bressanone Brixen
  " Mezzaselva Mittewald
  " Vipiteno Sterzing
  " Brenner - Pass (1374 mh) on the Posthouse: commemorative tablet for Goethe's journey to Italy in 1786. - Road built in 1772.
  N 182 Steinach (y)
  " Schönberg
 120 " INNSBRUCK

Innsbruck - Mittenwald - Landsberg or München (Bruck or Eurasburg) - Augsburg
L 5611+ Balbi  C15 8306
   INNSBRUCK
  N 171 (Zirl)
  N 177 Seefeld
 35  Mittenwald (T&T 1729)
 From Mittenwald to Augsburg via Landsberg
140 km
C15 8306
   Mittenwald (T&T 1729)
  L + N 2 Garmisch-Partenkirchen (T&T 1767)
 40 N 2 Murnau (T&T 1777)
  " Weilheim (TT&T 1773)
  L Diessen (T&T 1782)
 55 &c Landsberg (T&T 1773)
   Hurlach (T&T 1746)
 20  Schwabmünchen (T&T 1636)
C6 6112^ C15 8306
   Schwabmünchen (T&T 1636)
 25 L AUGSBURG (T&T 1625)
From Mittenwald to Augsburg via München
195 km
Mittenwald - München:
L 5611+ Balbi
  N 177 + N 2 Mittenwald (T&T 1729) [Electorate of Bavaria]
  N 11 Wallgau (T&T 1707 ?) (photo: PG)
  &c Walchensee - Urfeld (y) (T&T 1736) (photo: PG)
   Kochel (y) (photo: PG)
   Benediktbeuren (T&T 1713) on the posthouse: fresco showing Goethe and his (hired) calash (photo: PG).
   Königsdorf (y)
   Wolfratshausen (T&T 1753)
 130  MÜNCHEN (T&T 1695)
München - Augsburg:
1. Via Bruck: Post road until 1760 and again since 1806.
70 km Hired carriage. In 7 hours.
L 5612
   MÜNCHEN (T&T 1695)
  N 2 Bruck (T&T 1687/1760)
  " Merching (T&T year unknown)
 70 " AUGSBURG (T&T 1625)
2. Via Eurasburg:  Post road between 1760 and 1806.
65 km English Coupé; Coupé.
C6 6107+ Mme Renaud C6 6109^ C12 6702^
   AUGSBURG
  L Eurasburg (T&T 1761)
  L Schwabhausen (T&T 1732)
 65 L MÜNCHEN

Fortsetzung: Teil XII

Copyright by Pablo Günther, Hergensweiler 2002.

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