The moat, the walls and the buildings.
A walk in and out of Montagnana's walls to see the splendor of the medieval walls and the fine buildings which enrich the town centre. A glorious past written in the medieval times, and embellished during the Venetian domination.
Montagnana, one of the most beautiful towns of Italy and bandiera arancione (orange flag) of the Touring Club Italia, is also an excellence among the fortified cities in Europe. The almost two-kilometer long city walls which enclose the city center were built between the 13th and the 14th century and it is still true to its original design and building as they are perfectly preserved. As a middle ground and contended by the main cities around it, Montagnana was the point of contention of many fights for its domination over the centuries which involved the Lords from Este, Ezzelino 3rd da Romano, the municipality and Signoria of the Da Carrara from Padua, the Dalla Scala, and the Visconti. At the beginning of the 15th century, Montagnana entered the Republic of Venice, and it was only then when the town could enter a time of peace and flourishing trade based on the production of hemp which was essential for the finish of vessels made in Venice. This led to a social, cultural, and artistic striving which is well represented by the building of the suggestive Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, embellished by the work of some great artist who were brought here by an enlightened clientele. A walk along the outside part of the walls, where there once was a powerful defensive moat, followed by a path along the evocative city center will allow you to take a glimpse of elegant views. You will also notice the quality of the Castle of San Zeno and the Rocca degli Alberi, the magnificence of the walls, you will be able to fantasize over the lives of who once lived in refined buildings of the city center, and get lost trying in the reminders of the great adventures of the past between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
