Montagnana

By Laura McCracken 5 Minute Read

The Walls

The 2 kilometer (1.25 mile) long wall was originally made of wood but changed to stone in the 14th Century at the request of the Paduan Lords Da Carrara who wanted to make it more practical under attack the wooden wall had been prone to fires. The wall now has twenty-four towers which range from a height of 17 to 19 meters (56 feet), four gates are still used with the direction of the city they lead to. The wall remain its original height of 6.5- metres (8.75 yards).

The Bell Tower of Porta Vicenza ( the Vicenza gate)

The main gate part of a former Castle is especially noteworthy. It was built in 1242 and still has all the characteristics of a castle; it's own semi courtyard, a 38 meter (125-foot) tower and a shrine.

The Duomo and Piazza Maggiore

In front of the Duomo (Cathedral) on the statue of Vittorio Emanuele II King of Italy is a monument dating back to 1881 towers over the Piazza Maggiore, regally watching the square which has been the centerpiece of the city since the 13th Century.

The cathedral was built between 1431 and 1502, in late gothic style with renaissance additions and was the work of the whole community of Montagnana. Before the cathedral existed there had been a church, mentioned in a 10th century document, but the citizens of Montagnana wanted something that would stand out in history, so they worked together to build one. The cathedral is seen as representing not only a place of worship, but the spiritual heart of Montagnana and the shrine of the city's history and glories.

The building is dedicated to Saint Maria Assunta, patron saint of Montagnana since 1426, her saint day is celebrated every year on 15 August.

The Piazza (Square) is the soul of the city, restaurants and small boutiques line the perimeter shaded by portico and enticing stalls pop up in the center.

The Charm of Montagnana

Montagnana may not have the same status in tour guides as its walled Veneto cousins Cittadella or Marostica, but it exudes charm and personality.

Cobbled streets have always reminded me of the labor and dedication it takes to make a city's infrastructure. As you walk around a cobble stoned city it transports you in time. Each footstep you place, is placed on a stone strategically positioned by someone. It is not the tarmac today laid my machines, each of these stones were physically touches. Collected, transported and then picked up and placed so you can still walk today without mud or dust. A magical mosaic carpet of grey - a combination of art, tetris, magna tiles, math and legos with the sole purpose to enhance our mobility. Art with a reason, art with resilience, able to endure, humans, horses and carts and even automobiles. When I walk on cobblestones I feel privileged and a little humbled to walk on their design which has lasted generations

I also wonder what stories these stones could tell. Maybe battles, floods, festivals and carnivals. Tales of leading people to weddings, funerals and everything in between.

These photos of streets also share another story. The walls to the rear of the houses back onto the city wall. The homes are supported by the 14 Century stone wall. In the photos you can see the towers rise behind them. The wall which once provided citizens with protection against possible invasion, now supplies its citizens with stability and peace of mind by providing structural support for their homes. Its purpose and service to the city continues.

The colors of Montagnana

The grey of the cobblestones and wall provide a wonderful backdrop to the fantastic array of colors you will see as you wander through the charming streets. House owners have chosen from a lovely palate of mediterranean colors to paint their homes and they tend their flowers and window boxes with care which has great results. But on our visit, it was the poppies which took center stage.

Whoever made the decision present or past, to leave the poppies lining the wall instead of mowing them down needs to be commended. Poppies are technically weeds and the city is immaculately clean and well cared for, I can imagine normally very few if any of the municipal lawns are left un-mown or any weeds are left to grow. It is true poppies are considered technically a weed - in my opinion the most noble and beautiful of weeds. They naturally return each year and bloom for about ten days, before and after the initial flush of color they are a green disappointing looking weed. On our visit, the foliage was perfect, the vibrant red made a delightful fringe to the wall, beautiful delicate noble crimson flowers dancing in the breeze.

Poppies are not only beautiful but are reverent to me because of their meaning during Remembrance Day. Remembrance Day is celebrated on the 11th November in the UK and commonwealth. It honors Armistice Day, unlike Veterans Day celebrated on the same day in the US, it does not celebrates current military service members it celebrates lives lost while in uniform more like Memorial day. In the UK, poppies are sold by the Royal British Legion and are worn from the last Friday in October until November 11th. The flower had often been spotted on the battlefields and became symbolic of the blood and lives given in the service of the country.

"During the First World War previously beautiful countryside was blasted, bombed and fought over, again and again. The landscape swiftly turned to fields of mud: bleak and barren where little or nothing could grow.

But out of this devastation the delicate but resilient bright red Flanders poppies grew and flourished in their thousands" (1)

The Queen wears multiple poppies on Remembrance Day thought to represent each service in the war: the Army, the Navy, the RAF, the Civil Defence and women. Princess Kate wears three it is thought for the three branches of service or for three members of her family who have fought in past wars (2)

The British Legion says there is no right or wrong way to wear a poppy - just wear it with pride.

On the late May day when we visited Montagnana - the city was wearing the poppies with pride. But unlike those poppies seen in the battle fields of the past, these crimson gems do not grow from devastation or from mud and bleakness. They wave cheerily along the side of the paths like flags in a parade. Crimson flags lining the historic wall waving us along the path with the nostalgic pride of the beautiful gem of a city where they bloom.

If poppies are in bloom or not this town is well worthy of a visit.

For more information go to https://www.visitmontagnana.it/

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