Two castles face each other on the twin hills above Montecchio Maggiore, and their names travel far beyond Veneto: Romeo's and Juliet's. Watching these Scaliger strongholds from his villa nearby, Renaissance nobleman Luigi da Porto set here the novella of the two Veronese lovers that would eventually reach Shakespeare's desk.
Below the hills, this Vicenza-province town of 23,315 residents works in mechanics and tanning along the Chiampo valley, with Venetian villas stitching history to industry. Climb to the castles at sunset, when the Lessini ridge turns red, and Da Porto's choice of setting explains itself.
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📅 Every year, on 8 September; the last Sunday of April and 1 May re-enact the feud between the Montagues and Capulets
Montecchio Maggiore celebrates Saint Vitalis on 8 September; every year, on the last Sunday of April and 1 May, the town relives in medieval atmosphere the historic feud between the Montecchi and Capuleti families, with events held at the Bellaguardia Castle, known as Romeo's Castle.
Stockfish, milk, oil and anchovies, cooked for hours over the lowest heat: baccalà alla vicentina arrived from Norway with a shipwreck in 1432.
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The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
Outside Montecchio Maggiore, but an easy day trip away.
