Church Auditorium Santa Croce, Organ by Pietro Nacchini (1750)

The organ of the Church of Santa Croce, once the chapel of the old Civil Hospital of Santa Maria dei Battuti in Treviso, is the oldest instrument in the city. It was built in 1750 by the renowned Dalmatian organ builder Pietro Nacchini (1694–1769), as indicated by the carved inscription above the keyboard: “PETRUS NACHINI FECIT ANNO MDCCL OPUS CLIX”—a rare signature that the artist reserved for only a few of his masterpieces.

After moving from Fiume (today Rijeka, Croatia) in 1720, Nacchini settled in Venice, where he founded one of the most active organ workshops of the 18th century, building around two hundred instruments. He is considered the father of the Venetian organ school of the 18th century, from which masters such as Gaetano Callido, Francesco Dacci, Giovanni Battista Merlini, Antonio Barbini, and many others emerged. This school enjoyed a period of extraordinary flourishing, spreading its works far beyond the borders of the Serenissima.

Nacchini was a true innovator. His instruments are distinguished by the perfect balance of tonal refinement, mechanical precision, and sonic intensity—qualities that defined the identity of the Venetian 18th-century organ and influenced organ builders of the following century. His tonal palette is bright and transparent; flutes and color stops are meticulously crafted, with a singing, lively sound. Among his most characteristic inventions are the Cornetta and Tromboncini, short-tube reed pipes with a brilliant, expressive character.

The mechanical action is light and highly responsive, and the materials used are of the highest quality: pure tin for the pipes and fine woods such as Italian walnut, resonance spruce, boxwood, and ebony, all worked with impeccable artisanal techniques.

The Santa Croce organ has miraculously survived intact through the centuries, without structural alterations. Records indicate a restoration by Malvestio in 1921, which respected the original character of the instrument, followed by a second restoration in 1971 by organ builder Alfredo Piccinelli of Padua. Finally, in 1994, a careful and meticulous intervention by organ builder Francesco Zanin of Codroipo (UD) restored the organ to its original state, fully recovering its efficiency and magnificent tonal qualities, rich in subtle and beautiful tonal shades.