MONTECCHIO MAGGIORE

'Montecchio Maggiore' is a town in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is situated approximately 12 km west of Vicenza and 43 km east of Verona, SP 246 passes through it.
Montecchio Maggiore borders the following municipalities: Altavilla Vicentina, Arzignano, Brendola, Castelgomberto, Montebello Vicentino, Montorso Vicentino, Sovizzo, Trissino, Zermeghedo.

Contents

History

Main sights

Twin cities

Sources

History

The town of Montecchio Maggiore has been inhabited since the late Stone Age, though it was invaded and occupied many times. Two castles built about 975 are claimed to be the inspiration for the Romeo and Juliet legend. Luigi del Porta of Vicenza set the story here in his novel of 1552.

Main sights

★ Villa Cordellina Lombardi, is a masterpiece of neo-Palladian architect Giorgio Massari, with frescoes by G.B. Tiepolo.

★ Museum Zannato, founded in 1922 by Giuseppe Zannato, its first curator. It has sections devoted to the archaeo-logical and the paleontological. Some of these contain materials found in the late-Roman necropolis of Carpanè. There is also an important gemological section.

★ Castle Bellaguardia (Called Castle of Juliet)

★ Castello della Villa (Called Castle of Romeo)

Twin cities

★ Passau, Germany, from 2003

★ Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom

Sources

★ (Google Maps)