Romeo’s Castle

Why visit

Montecchio’s two castles are among the best-known sights of the Vicenza countryside. They were rebuilt in the 14th century by the Scaligeri, the della Scala lords of Verona, to guard the road between Verona and Vicenza. The Castello della Villa is the larger of the two, a fortified enclosure with a high tower that once sheltered the village below in times of war. Both castles were badly damaged in the wars of the early 1500s and stood as ruins for centuries, before being restored in the 20th century.

The Romeo and Juliet connection

The story of Romeo and Juliet was first told in full by Luigi da Porto, a writer from Vicenza, in a novella published around 1530. Da Porto lived at Montorso, a few kilometres from Montecchio, and local tradition says that the two castles facing each other on the hill inspired his tale of the feuding Montecchi and Cappelletti families. Shakespeare’s play, written decades later, goes back to versions of his story. Read more in our guide to the Romeo and Juliet castles.

What to see

• The tower: the square keep that dominates the castle, visible from all over the plain.
• The walls: the long battlemented walls of the enclosure, restored after centuries as a ruin.
• The views: across the Vicenza plain to the Berici hills and, on clear days, the Little Dolomites and the Alps.
• Juliet’s Castle: a short walk along the ridge, with its slender tower.

Tips

• The castle is mainly used for events and is open on set days. Check with the town before you go if you want to see inside.
• Walk up from the centre on the lanes and paths through the trees, or drive up to the parking near the castles.
• Go at sunset for the light on the towers and the plain.
• Follow our one-day itinerary.