The Atestino museum and the Carrara castle
At the southern foot of the Euganean Hills, Este is one of the oldest towns of the Veneto. In the first millennium BC it was the main centre of the ancient Veneti, the people who gave their name to the region, and their civilisation is known to archaeologists as the "Atestine" culture, from Ateste, the Roman name of the town. Later it gave its name to the Este family, who left here in the thirteenth century to become lords of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio.
The National Atestine Archaeological Museum, housed in the sixteenth century Palazzo Mocenigo built into the walls of the castle, is one of the most important in northern Italy for pre-Roman civilisation: it displays bronze objects of extraordinary craftsmanship, such as the Benvenuti situla, a bronze bucket decorated with scenes of daily life, weapons, jewellery, votive tablets with inscriptions in the Venetic language, and Roman finds. The fourteenth century Carrara Castle, with its walls and towers enclosing a public garden, dominates the centre. In the old town are the elliptical cathedral of Santa Tecla, with an altarpiece by Tiepolo, and the arcaded streets. Byron and Shelley stayed in a villa on the hill above the town.
Tip: the garden of the castle is a pleasant place to rest; Este is a good base for walks and cycle rides in the Euganean Hills.
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