Montecchio Maggiore

Montecchio Maggiore
—  Comune  —
Comune di Montecchio Maggiore
Coat of arms
Montecchio Maggiore Location of Montecchio Maggiore in Italy
Coordinates: 45°30′N 11°25′E / 45.5°N 11.417°E / 45.5; 11.417Coordinates: 45°30′N 11°25′E / 45.5°N 11.417°E / 45.5; 11.417
Country	Italy
Region	Veneto
Province	Vicenza (VI)
Frazioni	Alte Ceccato, Bernuffi, Ghisa, Santissima Trinità, Sant'Urbano, Valdimolino
Government
- Mayor	Milena Cecchetto
Area
- Total	30.67 km2 (11.8 sq mi)
Elevation	72 m (236 ft)
Population
- Total	23,842
- Density	777.4/km2 (2,013.4/sq mi)
Demonym	Montecchiani
Time zone	CET (UTC+1)
- Summer (DST)	CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code	36075
Dialing code	+39 0444
Patron saint	San Vitale
Saint day	February 8
Website	Official website

Montecchio Maggiore is a town and comune in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is situated approximately 12 km west of Vicenza and 43 km east of Verona, SP 246 passes through it.

Montecchio Maggiore borders the following municipalities: Altavilla Vicentina, Arzignano, Brendola, Castelgomberto, Montebello Vicentino, Montorso Vicentino, Sovizzo, Trissino, Zermeghedo.

History

The land of Montecchio Maggiore has been inhabited since the late Stone Age, though it was invaded and occupied many times. Two castles built about 975 are claimed to be the inspiration for the Romeo and Juliet legend. Luigi del Porta of Vicenza set the story here in his novel of 1552.

Main sights

• Villa Cordellina Lombardi, is a masterpiece of neo-Palladian architect Giorgio Massari, with frescoes by G.B. Tiepolo.
• Museum Zannato, founded in 1922 by Giuseppe Zannato, its first curator. It has sections devoted to archaeologcal and paleontological finds. Some of these contain materials found in the late-Roman necropolis of Carpanè. There is also an important gemological section.
• Castle Bellaguardia (Called Castle of Juliet)
• Castello della Villa (Called Castle of Romeo)

Twin cities

• Passau, Germany, from 2003
• Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom
• Carloforte, Italy, from 2009.

Sources

• (Google Maps)