Montagnana
Montagnana historical timeline
History
Origins
The site was fortified early — the eastern Castello di San Zeno keep dates from around 1242 and was built under Ezzelino III da Romano, whose reputation in this region has not recovered in eight centuries.
Turning points
Between 1360 and 1362 Francesco I da Carrara, lord of Padua, threw the present circuit around the whole town. It was frontier work: Montagnana sat on the boundary between Paduan and Veronese territory, and the walls were built to be taken seriously.
Influential people
The western gate-fortress, the Rocca degli Alberi, was built in the same campaign as a self-contained stronghold guarding the approach from Verona.
Cultural evolution
Under Venice from 1405 the walls lost their purpose — and, as at Soave and Cittadella, that is exactly why they survive. Nobody modernised them for artillery and nobody needed the land.
Present-day significance
The town is now known for its walls and for Prosciutto Veneto Berico-Euganeo DOP, of which it is a principal centre. Its Palio dei 10 Comuni, on the first Sunday of September, fills the walls once a year.