Castle of San Zeno, Civic Museum and Ezzelino's Keep
Located in the eastern part of the walled village of Montagnana, the Castle of San Zeno represents the oldest fortified core of the city, dating back to the 13th century. This remarkable architectural complex, rectangular in shape, was used as accommodation for troops and a hemp depot during the Venetian era, and today welcomes visitors in its charming inner courtyard protected by watchtowers.
The spacious halls of the castle house the Civic Museum "A. Giacomelli," which can only be visited through guided tours that retrace the historical memory of the territory. The exhibition route begins with the first two rooms dedicated to the pre-Roman and Roman periods, where the majestic tombstone adorned with Postumulena Sabina is preserved. On the second floor, the rooms dedicated to the Middle Ages and modern era display local ceramics and a small art gallery with 14th-century frescoes and a paper map from the 16th century. The path concludes with a section dedicated to the local lyrical tradition, celebrating the famous tenors Giovanni Martinelli and Aureliano Pertile, who were stars in the world's greatest theaters.
The heart of the experience is the Ezzelino's Keep, the defensive tower built in 1242 by Ezzelino III da Romano. With its 38 meters in height, the structure dominates the entire village and offers a panoramic ascent with a spectacular view encompassing the Venetian countryside, the Euganean and Berici Hills, all the way to the profile of the Alps.
