A few kilometers from Padua, a scenario opens up that is surprising in its shape and atmosphere: the Euganean Hills, an archipelago of reliefs of volcanic origin that suddenly emerge from the Venetian plain. Here nature tells a story over 40 million years long, giving life to an area now protected by the Euganean Hills Regional Park.
This area is a mosaic of paths, woods, vineyards and small villages, where the pace slows down and every corner invites you to stop. It is not just a destination for hikers: it is a place where thermal well-being, art and traditions coexist. The famous Terme Euganee, not far away, complete the experience, making this area perfect for a journey that combines relaxation and discovery.
Monselice: the village that rises towards the sky
Our visit to the Euganean Hills starts from Monselice, a small medieval jewel dominated by the profile of the Rocca. The heart of the city develops around Piazza Mazzini, where the Civic Tower, the suggestive Cini Castle and the monumental complex of San Paolo meet. The real protagonist is the Jubilee Sanctuary of the Seven Churches, an uphill route that leads to Villa Duodo.
Walking between chapels and panoramic views, you arrive at the Mastio Federiciano, an imposing tower commissioned by Frederick II which still dominates the landscape today. Monselice is also a lively place: every September it transforms with the Giostra della Rocca, a historical re-enactment that brings medieval customs, challenges and atmospheres back on stage. And in February, the connection with Valentine’s Day fills the village with symbols and traditions linked to love.
Este: historical elegance between walls and buildings
Nestled at the foot of the hills, Este welcomes us in the afternoon with its city walls over a kilometer long, perfectly preserved and dotted with towers. Once the center of the ancient Venetians and then an important Roman city, today it preserves a refined balance between history and everyday life. Inside the walls there is a large public garden, ideal for a walk among ancient trees.
The cultural heritage is equally rich: the Atestino National Museum, housed in Palazzo Mocenigo, houses unique finds from the pre-Roman era. Walking in Piazza Maggiore you come across elegant buildings, while the Cathedral of Santa Tecla surprises us with the famous altarpiece by Tiepolo. Among the historic villas, homes that have hosted figures such as Byron and Shelley stand out, testifying to the timeless charm of this village.
Montagnana: perfect walls and intact charm
If there is a place capable of making you travel through time, it is Montagnana, our last stop in the Euganean Hills. Here the two kilometer city walls, among the best preserved in Europe, draw an imposing profile with 24 towers and monumental entrances such as the Castle of San Zeno and the Rocca degli Alberi.
Entering the city means immersing yourself in an authentic atmosphere, made up of elegant porticoes, harmonious squares and medieval views. The center revolves around the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, with its unusual position creating a unique perspective. Montagnana is also synonymous with taste with local excellences to savor after a day of history and architecture.
An itinerary that remains in the heart
Visiting the Euganean Hills means crossing an area that combines nature, culture and identity. Monselice, Este and Montagnana are not simple stages, but different experiences of the same story: that of a more intimate Veneto, far from the large tourist flows but full of wonder. A trip here does not end in a visit: it remains in the memory, among silent panoramas and villages that seem suspended in time.
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