The lack of available freestone left the decoration of houses to paint rather than sculpture in Treviso. This is  the reason for the splendour of the frescoed house facades which gave Treviso its nickname of "urbs picta".
Some of these decorations are still in good condition and, with a little imagination, it is easy to see how colourful and lively the City of Treviso would have been when the frescoes were fresh.

Buildings were painted both inside and out, initially with geometric patterns of elegant intricacy tapestry-like.
In the 16th century, Humanism gradually substituted these patterns with allegorical figures and mythical or historical events in landscapes or perspectives that visually widened the streets.
Ceramics were used in conjunction with the decorative frescoes to beautify the entire construction.

The figure of St. Bernardino da Siena often appears in frescoes and in stone, plaster or ceramics. This 15th century franciscan monk preached while holding a staff in his hand on which was placed a consecrated Host.
The Trevisans were so enthusiastic about his preachings that they used his symbol on the facades of their houses: a Host with the letters JHS (Jesus HominumSalvator) circled by a shining sun.