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About
Castello degli Ezzelini is a castle in Bassano del Grappa, located at the highest point in town.
SHORT HISTORY OF CASTELLO DEGLI EZZELINI
A defensive fortification was built around the ancient Church of Santa Maria in Colle in the 10th century, as evidenced by a document dating back to the year 998.
In the second half of the 12th century, the Bishop of Vicenza, to whom the castle belonged, donated it to Ezzelino I, founder of the powerful Ezzelini family.
The Ezzelini were known for their strength, influence, and at times ruthless rule. The castle served as a fortress and administrative center, allowing them to control trade routes in the area.
The most notorious of the Ezzelini family, Ezzelino III da Romano, ruled with an iron fist and was feared throughout the Veneto region.
Following the Ezzelini family’s fall from power in the late 13th century, the castle passed to the Scaligeri of Verona, then to the Visconti of Milan, and finally to the Republic of Venice.
In 1411, during the war between the Republic of Venice and the Kingdom of Hungary, its fortifications resisted the attacks of the first bombards deployed by the troops of Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg.
In 1508, the castle, along with the entire town of Bassano, fell under the armies of Maximilian I of Habsburg, during the War of the League of Cambrai.
In the 16th century, Castello degli Ezzelini was decommissioned, and within its walls various commercial and artisanal activities flourished.
ARCHITECTURE OF CASTELLO DEGLI EZZELINI
Architecturally, Castello degli Ezzelini reflects the medieval defensive style, with robust stone walls, battlements, and towers designed to withstand sieges and attacks.
The castle is characterized by its impressive watchtower, the Bolzonella Tower (Torre Bolzonella), about 30 meters high, offering panoramic views of the town and surrounding landscape.
The Ortazzo Tower (Torre dell’Ortazzo) is located to the southwest of the walls of the Ezzelini Castle.
The tower has a squat shape on a square base plan of 8.40 meters per side, and 22.64 meters of maximum height on the south face.
The complex today consists of two parallel and concentric enclosures around the top of the hill, joined to the south by a single wall.
The oldest wall is the external one, while the internal circle has many 14th-century elements. Between the two walls, there is a patrol walkway from which you can admire beautiful panoramic views.
The fortification has a quadrangular shape and with walls from 7.50 to 13.50 meters high. The structure is made with alternating rows of bricks and pebbles collected directly from the nearby Brenta River.
The eastern and western sides are free, while on the south side there are buildings with a height close to that of the historic walls. The northern side is delimited by the side wall of the Cathedral of Bassano.
HOW TO GET TO CASTELLO DEGLI EZZELINI
Castello degli Ezzelini is located about 900 meters away from the Bassano del Grappa railway station.
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