Montagnana Things to Do

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Wherever we go around Italy there will be either church, either monastery or the convent of the Virgin Marry or San Francis. I like the churches dedicated to San Francesco, which is original name for San Francis, because such a church is usually modest even if big in its proportions. I wish all churches to be modest like that, serving to the people not showing up with the uneccessary luxury.

The gate driving to the road to Legnago is the most fortificated of the town.
At least 5 orders of doors (some sliding from the top and still in place) where in place to stop the offenders... If they already succeded in crossing the moat, of course!

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The Duomo, or the main church of the town, dates at around 15th century. The construction lasted about 70 years... and that explains a few stylistical diffrences across the building...
It's located in the central Square, ina very open and scenic position.
A good place to show its simple elegance

After the lamentations by Borazzi, the Bishop of Padova, who wasn't satisfied by the progression of the construcion, the works of the cathedral were took over by the famous Renaissance architect Lorenzo da Bologna. It helps to understand the differences in styles which can be noticed on the external and the internal parts of the cathedral. Lorenzo da Bologna managed to harmonize the elements of Gothic with those of Renaissance style.

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The imposing Cathedral of Montagnana, with its huge proportions, dominates the whole Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. The cathedral is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, since 1426 the patron saint of the city of Montagnana.
Accorfing to the 10th century document, the cathedral was built on the site of an previous church.
The construction started in 1431 by Cristoforo da Bolzano in Venetian Gothic style and was finished only in 1502, partly in the Renaissance style.

Castello San Zeno, which is incorporated in the city walls, dates back to the Ezzelino era of the town, i.e. the beginning of the 14th century. It was the time when incursions from the Scaligeri of Verona could have been hazardous, therefore the whole fortification and its walls were strenghtened.
Today the castle houses Museum and Tourist Office, closed on Sunday, however, the day of my visit to Montagnana.

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I am not surprised to see such a attractive medieval palaces turned into the banks nowadays. Actually, this one, besides the huge cathedral, is the first thing I've noticed on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele. My first thought was, it must me the Town Hall, but there was any city flag.
There is nothing in the city guide book indicating the history of this palace, strange!

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Most of the houses, situated on Piazza Vittorio Emanuele (the main city suqare) and its close surroundings are porticoed, likewise in many other medieval Italian towns. This one on the picture attracted me so much, especially its wooden ceiling.