On the top of the Colle della Rocca the Mastio Federiciano stands imposingly
On the top of the Colle della Rocca stands the Mastio Federiciano.
The structure was begun in 1239 for Emperor Frederick II by his allied Ezzelino da Romano. The military construction involved the demolition of the Pieve di Santa Giustina, a parish church, that was built on the top of the hill.
The 20 m high fortress is formed by a truncated pyramid shaped base and a squared building in block of trachyte stone. Originally the keep was provided with a further wooden upper floor too. In the past the Mastio was the heart of a complex defensive structure: a Citadel developed on five circles of defensive walls and whose ancient Fortifications of the sixth century (Byzantine period) are still visible.
Recent excavations and a substantial restoration of the citadel have unveiled medieval archaeological findings of remarkable interest.
Naturalistic path
The Colle della Rocca (hill) is located within the Regional Park of the Euganean Hills, which includes a hundred hills of volcanic formation. It has a height of 150 meters and a diameter at the base of 500 meters and at the top of about 80 meters.
The tour takes the visitor to discover the flora, fauna and history of the Colle.
The Colle della Rocca archaeological nature trail can be visited on holidays and pre-holidays in the months of April, May, June, September, October with a visit in the morning (10:00) and one in the afternoon (16:00). On the basis of the reservations collected through the website (www.castellodimonselice.it), email (info@castellodimonselice.it) or telephone (+39 0429 72931) it’s also be possible to schedule further midweek openings.
The accompanied visits lasts about 90 minutes and the ticket costs € 4.00 (from 7 years old).
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