The Towers of the Castle of Rovigo represent one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and provide a valuable testimony to its medieval past. The castle was built between the 10th and 11th centuries at the behest of the bishops-counts of Adria, lords of the city, and was subsequently strengthened by the Carraresi in the 14th century and later by the Republic of Venice, which turned it into a strategic stronghold for controlling the Polesine territory.
Today, the imposing fortified complex remains with two cylindrical brick towers, which still stand proudly in the central Piazza Matteotti. The first, the Donà Tower, is one of the tallest medieval towers in Italy, at approximately 66 meters in height. Built in the 13th century, it is named after the noble Donà family, which was long linked to the political and military history of the city. Its imposing bulk dominated the city wall and controlled access to the city.
Next to it stands the Missing Tower, so named because it lacks its upper section, which has been lost over the centuries. Shorter but equally significant, it was an integral part of the defensive system and was once connected to the walls that surrounded the entire settlement.
The towers, restored and enhanced, are now an important urban and cultural landmark. By day, they offer a picturesque backdrop for tourists and residents alike, while in the evening, skillfully illuminated, they transform into a scenic backdrop of great charm, powerfully narrating the millennia of history of Rovigo. The Towers of the Castle are not only architectural monuments, but true guardians of the city's memory.
