The fortress town of Palmanova was born precisely on October, 7th. The Republic of Venice chose it to remember two important events of its history. Firstly, this date celebrates Santa Giustrina’s Day, who became the patron saint of the star-shaped town; secondly, this date corresponds to the day when the Republic of Venice won in Lepanto against the Turkish Army, on October 7th, 1571. So, Venice used this symbolic language to express a very clear message about the function of this star-shaped fortress, which defended by the Ottoman invasions not only its territory but all the Christian world.
Palmanova was born to represent the ideal town. It was built following an armchair strategy based on geometrical rules that intended to create a defensive town. The tidy and rational structure together with the radial geometry follow the perfection of the Classic theories. For this reason, the town development is based on the number three, the perfect number, and on its multiples: three main entrances, hexagonal square, nine points…
The name of the town comes from the term Palmada, an existing village which was destroyed to built the town-fortress and its square and rural villages, gates, walls and ditches.  
Speaking of that, you must remember that the foundation of Palmanova is strictly connected to the presence of water, because it made possible the supplying of building materials. Also the aquifer was precious for the tactical and military functions. In a fortress plan, Giulio Savorgnan, military and advisor of Venice, wrote “…that boats could go from the lagoons of Maran and Grado la Jurisdition Marchesca till Strassoldo, in order to transport mortars, terracotta tiles, and others to build the fortress. Carrying the goods would be impossible with carts and livestock, which is too weak in Friuli and it would take more than a hundred years and more than the double amount of money…” and “…and not to have the water too far and it will be close and deep in order to defend through the ditches, also against the Turkish…”.