One of the best preserved medieval walled towns
In the plain south west of Padua, Montagnana is enclosed by one of the most impressive and best preserved medieval walls in Europe: almost two kilometres of crenellated brick walls with 24 polygonal towers, built mainly in the fourteenth century by the Carrara family, lords of Padua, and surrounded by a moat now covered in grass. Two great fortified gates give access to the town: the Rocca degli Alberi, a castle-gate towards Legnago, now a youth hostel, and the Castello di San Zeno towards Padua, with the tall tower of Ezzelino.
Inside the walls, the town is gathered around the large square with the late Gothic cathedral, which holds a Transfiguration by Paolo Veronese, and noble palaces. Just outside the walls, Andrea Palladio built Villa Pisani, one of his first villas. Montagnana is also famous for its Prosciutto Veneto Berico-Euganeo PDO, the sweet raw ham of the area, celebrated with a festival in May, and for the Palio dei Dieci Comuni, a horse race in historical costume held in September, recalling the communities of the medieval Montagnana territory.
Tip: walk around the walls along the moat, about two kilometres, best at sunset; the Castello di San Zeno houses the civic museum.
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