Follow the rolling Euganean Hills to the lands of Est Veronese and then head back towards the Berici Hills; here, the castles, towers and walls tell stories of borders, trade and territorial control. Located in strategic positions between the plain and the hilly areas, for centuries these fortified towns protected communication routes, markets and farming communities. Today, these outposts are immersed among vineyards and villages that safeguard some of the Veneto’s most celebrated wine-making traditions.
From the heart of the town you come to Monselice Castle, also known as Cini Castle, a highly structured complex that recounts centuries of history and architectural transformations. Climbing the hill, the route passes the Sanctuary of the Seven Churches and Villa Duodo, before reaching the Mastio Federiciano, symbol of the town. From the summit the view opens out onto the Euganean Hills and the surrounding plain, offering the same strategic vista that for centuries made Monselice such an important territorial stronghold.
Bastions, battlements and towers alternate with heritage trees and beautifully kept lawns in what is one of the most attractive public parks in the Euganean Hills. A walk along the perimeter of Castello Carrarese reveals a more unfamiliar side to Este, whose military past coexists with the pleasure of outdoor life.
Passing through one of its massive gates means entering a town that seems to have made a pact with Father Time. Almost two kilometres of medieval walls, dotted with towers and battlements, still enclose the historic centre today, and lead up to Castello di San Zeno and the Rocca degli Alberi. This is what makes Montagnana one of the best-preserved walled towns in Europe.
There is a fortress that dominates Villafranca di Verona and a long wall that once crossed the Verona countryside. These are the traces of the Scaliger stronghold, the imposing defensive system built to protect the territory. Today, the castle continues to be the symbol of the city, transforming into an enchanting stage on summer evenings to host performances under the stars.
Behind the silhouette of the Arena and the most famous squares lies a city made up of bastions, monumental gates and fortifications that tell over two thousand years of Verona's history. From the Roman walls to the major Venetian and Austrian periods, every era left its mark. Today, walking along the city walls of this UNESCO World Heritage city, you encounter peaceful little corners among the trees, small green spaces dedicated to sporting events and music festivals.
Even before passing through the gates of the town of Soave, your attention is captured by the fortress that dominates the hill and the rows of vineyards that surround it. The walls guide you through cobbled alleys and unexpected viewing points, as far as the Scaliger Castle that dominates from above. Here, the town's fortified identity meets one of the most famous wine regions of the Veneto.
Walking in the historic centre, you encounter traces of a past that today survives almost in silence. All that's now left of Calmano Castle, which for centuries dominated Lonigo and controlled an important crossroads between Vicenza and Verona, is a few towers, some sections of the ancient walls, and most notable the Torrione, the Scaliger keep that stands out on the city's skyline. An itinerary combining bridges, alleys and the banks of the Guà allows you to rediscover the fortified soul of Lonigo, a surprising outpost between the Berici Hills and the Vicentine plain.
A stroll among the crenellated walls, towers and walkways is the best way of discovering the Scaliger Castle of Arzignano, which overlooks the Chiampo Valley. Here you can explore the fortified town, visit the viewing points that look over the Vicentine hills, and participate in the events and initiatives which, especially in the summer, bring this richly historical place to life.