The 'Great Wall' of the Veneto.
The walled cities of the Veneto play a major part in the history of the area, places where art and tradition shine, surviving and thriving to the present day. Our tour takes us to the most representative and most well-preserved Medieval towns among the hills and plains.
The walled cities of the Veneto
FIRST AND SECOND DAY
Soave and Marostica
We begin our tour in the province of Verona, where the delicate beauty of the landscape suggests the name of this town: Soave is a walled city of great charm, and, in addition to maintaining the aura of the Medieval era with its legends and traditions, boasts a lively present among viticulture, tourism and industry.
It is famed throughout the world for its prestigious white wine. Its gentle rolling hills, the taste of its grapes from which the Soave and Recioto wines are made, the atmosphere thick with romantic mystery, the rhythms of nature and the comportment of the local inhabitants are all priceless jewels of the territory.
......................................................................................................................................................
THIRD AND FOURTH DAY
Castelfranco Veneto and Cittadella
We move now to the province of Treviso to admire another monument of the Middle Ages: Castelfranco Veneto.
Its walls were erected at the end of the 12th century at the height of tension between itself and its rival Padua: a high red-brick quadrilateral complete with five towers.
The town is famous for being the birthplace of Giorgione, one of the most important artists of the 16th century, known for his hauntingly enigmatic paintings. Today Castelfranco is home to the world-renowned Pala del Duomo altarpiece portraying the recently restored Virgin and Child with Saints Liberal and Francis, and the intriguing frescoes adorning the Casa Pellizari, which according to tradition was the artist's birthplace.
......................................................................................................................................................
FIFTH DAY
Monselice and Montagnana
Remaining in the province of Padua, we move southwest, to Monselice.
The atmosphere and setting of Mons Silicis, named after the prized stone quarries which furnished the Empire and later the Venetians, are imbued with the Medieval period, thanks to the imposing fortress which dominates the town physically and by the weight of centuries of history.
Among other legends, we hear of the ghosts of Jacopino da Carrara (city ruler in the 14th century) and his lover Giudita seen in the castle and along the road leading to the Sanctuary.
......................................................................................................................................................