The only city wall in Europe with a total patrol walkway... #tuttitaly
Founded in 1220, Cittadella is the only one in Europe equipped with walls with an intact and completely passable patrol walkway, commissioned by the Lords of Padua, the da Carraras, to defend the countryside from the expansionist aims of the nearby enemy cities of Vicenza and Treviso.
Guard walkway
From the day it opened, 8 June 2013, it was possible to walk the entire 1500m walkway at a height of 15m.
The walk starts from Porta Bassano, the keep where the
Casa del Capitano (the tower's guardian) can still be visited today; the route continues towards Porta Vicenza, followed by Porta Padova, and finally, you arrive at Porta Treviso.
Along the walkway, our attention is struck by the splendid gardens of the private period villas within the walls, surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the Euganean Hills, the Berici Mountains, the Pedemontana, and Monte Grappa on the horizon.
Malta Tower
Near the Porta Padova, we find the Torre di Malta; a construction commissioned in 1251 by the tyrant Ezzelino III da Romano, which was the scene of havoc and torture and went down in history as one of the terrifying prisons of the time; the corpses were left to dry in the sun as a warning to all Ezzelino's enemies. Currently, an archaeological museum collects finds from the Bronze Age to Renaissance.
The Moat
From March to October, the moat surrounding the walls becomes a new point of view of the small Citadel by renting a boat and sailing along the entire perimeter of its waters.
Gastronomy
The typical dishes of Cittadella are the rich Paduan risotto, asparagus from Fontaniva, pasta with beans, bigoli with duck, capon alla canevera, and boiled meats.
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