Montagnana
Welcome to Montagnana!
Hello everyone and welcome to Montagnana, a municipality in the province of Padua, in the Veneto region. Approximately 8,905 people live here, and the city has been awarded the “Orange Flag,” a prize given to Italian municipalities for their historic, cultural, and natural heritage. Montagnana is also part of the association “The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy.” In 2018, it was recognized as one of the Spighe Verdi locations.
Some physical geography
Montagnana is located in the southwestern part of the province and is about 51 kilometers away from Padua. The town borders the provinces of Verona and Vicenza and occupies an area of 110.64 km². It is the fourth-largest municipality in its province.
How did Montagnana get its name?
The name of the city derives from the toponym "Motta Aeniana," which is medieval Latin. "Motta" referred to a small hill, while "aeniana" indicated a mansio.
The history of Montagnana
The origins of Montagnana date back to the Roman era when the territory was subject to frequent floods and surrounded by the Adige River. From 1405 to 1797, the city was under the control of the Republic of Venice. Today, Montagnana is known mainly for its spectacular fortified complex, as well as its urban fabric, made up of streets and buildings built in the Renaissance period and, in part, during the economic recovery of the 19th century.
The symbols of Montagnana
The symbol of Montagnana is the coat of arms.
What to see in Montagnana: monuments and places of interest
Montagnana is full of monuments and places of interest that deserve to be visited. Definitely a must-see is the central square where the Montagnana Cathedral stands. It has an imposing late Gothic structure with Renaissance additions. Inside, there are works of art of considerable value, such as Paolo Veronese's "Transfiguration of Christ," three panels by Giovanni Buonconsiglio known as il Marescalco (16th century), a large votive painting depicting the Battle of Lepanto (1571), and many others. Also, in the same square, you can admire the elegant Valeri palace and the ancient Monte di Pietà. On Matteotti Street stands the Magnavin-Foratti palace in Venetian Gothic style, which is said to have been the residence of Jacopa, wife of the condottiere Erasmo da Narni called the Gattamelata. On Carrarese Street lies the town hall, which was assigned to the Veronese architect Michele Sanmicheli in 1538. In Scaligera Street, there is the late Romanesque church of San Francesco, with an adjoining monastery of the Clarisse nuns. In the same street, the church of San Benedetto, an 18th-century Baroque work of art, also stands, which is now deconsecrated and used as an auditorium for the educational institution and the music academy. Furthermore, a few steps from the town center, near Porta Padova, you can visit Villa Pisani, one of Andrea Palladio's masterpieces, which houses statues by Alessandro Vittoria (1525-1608). Finally, in Via dei Montagnana, there is the ancient hospital of Santa Maria with a fresco by Giovanni Buonconsiglio and, in the homonymous street, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate with traces of the presence of the Knights Templar.
Conclusion
In short, Montagnana is a city that offers many opportunities for an interesting and culture-rich visit. Thank you for reading this summary, and I hope to have piqued your curiosity to organize a trip to Montagnana. Enjoy your visit!
