Monday, August 24, 2015

CASTELLO DI BELLAGUARDIA + CASTELLO DELLA VILLA, MONTECCHIO MAGGIORE, ITALIA


July 19, 2015
It was another scorching hot July day in Italy, but I was tired of hanging out in my air-conditioned apartment so I headed out to check out some castles. I went early, in hopes of beating the heat, but even up in the hills it was hot.The castles were great to walk around and the views were worth it. They are walkable from one another but if you are someone who prefers to drive [or it is over 100 degrees F out], there are relatively large dirt parking lots near both. 

Castello di Bellaguardia and Castello della Villa are known as the Romeo and Juliet Castles. They sit 254 meters above the Municipality of Montecchio Maggiore and lend themselves to some gorgeous views over the vast landscape. According to what I have read, the real roots of Romeo and Juliet may begin here. Luigi da Porto, who was a nobleman from Vicenza, was recovering from battle injuries when he was inspired by the two castles sitting high on the hills and wrote the story of Romeo and Juliet [see Historia novellamente ritrovata di due nobili am anti published in 1530]. The story was neglected for years and was later picked up by William Shakespeare who adapted it and brought it to worldwide fame.

Romeo's Castle [Below] was built around the 14th century by the Scaligeri family, who were the rulers of Verona. The castle was built around an existing watch tower that was built and destroyed during the previous era. Now the castle is used for summer performances and movie series, where the walls are used as the backdrop. 






Near the Chiesetta degli Alpini
Chiesetta degli Alpini


Juliet's Castle [Below] was originally built to defend a tower from the preceding era. The surrounding walls were built between 1354 and 1356 by Cangrande II della Scala and now there is a restaurant and a panoramic terrace within the castle walls. The views are great, especially looking towards Romeo's castle.











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