Monselice

From an important military center to a thriving commercial area.

The municipality of Monselice is located to the southeast of the Euganean Hills, and its historic center is situated between the slopes of two hills: the Rocca (formerly called Mons silicis) and Monte Ricco. This particular geographical location has given the place a clear military vocation, with records dating back to the 7th century AD, when the Lombard king Agilulfo occupied the territory and conquered the castle that had been built by the Byzantines.
Between the mid-13th and 14th centuries, the city found itself in the midst of bloody battles. It was involved in the struggles between the Guelf and Ghibelline factions, first enduring the tyranny of the infamous Ezzelino III Da Romano and then the fierce conflict between the lords of Padua, the Carraresi, and the Veronese Della Scala.
In 1405, it came under the influence of the Republic of Venice, and over the course of four centuries of undisputed dominance, Monselice transformed from a fortified and militarized center into a prosperous city dedicated to trade and commerce. An important reclamation project, known as the “Retratto di Monselice,” and the waterways that connected it directly to Padua and the lagoon, allowed for rapid economic development and attracted the most influential Venetian families (Duodo, Nani, Marcello, and Pisani) who chose this area to build their luxurious vacation homes.