Discover Montecchio Maggiore-Alte Ceccato

Montecchio Maggiore-Alte Ceccato combines Italian history, unusual cultural sites and regional cuisine. Castello della Villa, Castello della Bellaguardia, the underground Priare, museums and a festival dedicated to the Tegolina Cornetta offer a variety of experiences.

Castles between history and literature

Castello della Villa, also known as Castello di Romeo, is a castle in the immediate surroundings of Montecchio Maggiore-Alte Ceccato. The first certain documentary mention dates back to the first decades of the 13th century; at that time, the castle was a fief of the Pileo family. Historical family feuds and the novella by the Vicentine writer Luigi Da Porto connect it with the story of Romeo and Juliet. Castello della Bellaguardia, also known as Castello di Giulietta, is also located nearby. It is accessible during the restaurant's opening hours: Wednesday to Friday from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.

The Priare beneath Castello di Bellaguardia

Beneath Castello di Bellaguardia lie the Priare, a 1.5-kilometre-long underground quarry complex with artificial chambers and natural cavities of epikarst origin. From 2008 onward, the Priare were opened to the public and equipped for safe guided tours. If you would like to view historic architecture and geological formations together, this site offers an unusual thematic focus.

Museums and sacred history

The Museo civico G. Zannato is an exhibition centre and an operational centre that coordinates the activities of the Sistema Museale Agno-Chiampo. The Ex Pieve di Santa Maria dates back to the 7th century and was the mother church of the Valle dell’Agno.

Local cuisine and an annual festival

Local cuisine includes the Festa della Tegolina Cornetta De.Co. e della Tagliata. It is held every year to promote the De.Co. product tegolina cornetta from Montecchio Maggiore. At this festival, a food stall serves tegolina cornetta with tagliata, hamburgers and French fries; on Friday evening, pancetta is added to the menu. The event therefore provides a culinary highlight alongside the historic attractions.

Destinations in the immediate and wider surroundings

There are further destinations in the surrounding area. Parco Domenico Veronese is nearby. In the surrounding area are Tessaro, a museum; Castello d’Arzignano, a castle; and the Panorama dal Piazzale della Basilica di Monte Berico viewpoint. The Monte Calvarina summit is located farther afield; the Punto panoramico "Castello" viewpoint is in the wider regional area. This makes it possible to plan a stay combining buildings, a museum, a park, viewpoints and connections with the landscape, without focusing on just one interest.

More destinations for your planning

More destinations for your reference: Cartigliano, Mussolente, Rosà, Villaverla, Sandrigo, Cismon del Grappa, Poiana Maggiore, Sarcedo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Vicenza.