Top 11 Castles around Montecchio Maggiore

Beautiful Castle on the route

Beautiful gate of the city walls of Vicenza, with tower

Beautiful medieval fortress under restoration and currently not open to visitors.

Vicenza's medieval western city gate is quite impressive. The foundations date from the 12th century. The name of the nearby square tells us that this location was the site of the great Ezzelini fortress in the 14th century. It was a square area with a castle and a wet vest. In the 17th century the fortress lost its defensive role and the site changed shape and purpose. The north wing was converted into a palace overlooking the old garden. Dr fortress was almost completely dismantled by the 17th and 18th centuries. The only silent witnesses from these early Middle Ages are the Torrione and the parade ground.

Magnificent view on one side of Sovizzo and on the other of Montecchio Maggiore. Sometimes it hosts events (theatre, open-air cinema, medieval events).

The tower was built in the 12th century at the western entrance to the historic center of the city of Vicenza. In 1343 it was heavily rebuilt during the Scaliger occupation and became part of the medieval city walls. In modern times, for traffic reasons, the actual entrance arch was doubled and extended by two pedestrian walkways.

A medieval fortress, destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, built on the hills of Montecchio Maggiore for its strategic position along the Via Postumia, controlling the passage between Verona and Vicenza. A previous fortification likely existed in Roman times. It is known as "Romeo's Castle" by tradition and folklore: Luigi da Porto, a military leader and man of letters, retired from military life and wrote the first novel about Romeo and Juliet in 1531 in his residence in Montorso, overlooking the two castles. In the 19th century, at the height of Romanticism, legend arose that the two castles, so close yet so far away, inspired him to imagine them as belonging to the rival families of the Montecchi and the Cappelletti. Shakespeare later drew inspiration from his work to make the tragic love story famous. Today, the castle occasionally hosts cultural events (concerts, theater, open-air cinema); it is open on weekends (see link); Free access to both the walls and the tower, from the top of which you can enjoy a magnificent 360° panorama. https://www.prolocoaltemontecchio.it/cosa-vedere/castelli-di-giulietta-e-romeo/ https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelli_di_Romeo_e_Giulietta

A medieval fortress, destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, built on the hills of Montecchio Maggiore for its strategic position along the Via Postumia, controlling the passage between Verona and Vicenza. A previous fortification likely existed in Roman times. It is known as "Juliet's Castle" by tradition and folklore: Luigi da Porto, a military leader and man of letters, retired from military life and wrote the first story of Romeo and Juliet in 1531 in his residence in Montorso, overlooking the two castles. In the 19th century, at the height of Romanticism, legend arose that the two castles, so close yet so far away, inspired him to imagine them as belonging to the rival families of the Montecchi and the Cappelletti. Shakespeare later drew inspiration from his work to make the tragic love story famous. Today, the castle houses a bar/restaurant, and admission (free) is open during its opening days and hours (see link); From the panoramic terrace, you can enjoy a magnificent 360° view of the surrounding valleys and hills, covered in greenery and cultivated fields. https://www.prolocoaltemontecchio.it/cosa-vedere/castelli-di-giulietta-e-romeo/ https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castelli_di_Romeo_e_Giulietta