Monselice

Monselice Province Padova

A fortified town of strategic military importance, Monselice is situated in the south-western part of the province of Padova. The old "Mons Silicis" was already renowned in Roman times for its caves of silica stone that was used to pave consular roads and even Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice.

Even here we had the Longobards, the Franks, and then the succeeding seignories of the Este, Della Scala, and Carraresi families, until the town passed under the rule of the Serenissima Republic in 1405 and noble Venice families started to build their elegant dwellings here to enrich the town with a Renaissance look.

Today the heart of Monselice is the small village on the Rocca hill, surrounded by the remains of the walls built by the Este. The ancient Carrarese castle dominates the vies: it was also called Ca' Marcello after the name of its owner from Venice. At a distance of almost eight centuries, its charm is still unaltered. Today it houses a museum, whose rooms contain weapons of all kinds.

Visiting this massive building evokes the charming medieval world, populated with dames and chevaliers, disputes and battles, love and betrayal. The legend says that on windy nights you can hear the ghosts of Jacopino da Carrara and his beloved partner, Giudita.

Monselice preserves some precious samples of the refined Venetian Architecture, such as the majestic Villa Duodo and the Baroque Villa Nani-Mocenigo with its long terraced staircase. Another valuable monument is the Duomo Vecchio [Old Cathedral], the main religious symbol in town: consecrated to Santa Giustina, its shapes witness the passage from the Romanesque to the Gothic style.