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In the park splashed by the waters of the Bacchiglione, the San Martino della Vaneza Castle rises out.
The origins of this castle probably go back, at least, to the year one thousand.
In fact it was part of a complex of defence structures, which reached the Euganean Hills up to Este.
The 27 meters tall tower, constructed partially in trachyte and partially in brick, is divided into 6 floors and was the quarters reserved for the officer commanding the castle, except for the last floor, barrel-vault, which is intended for the sentry.
The two wings, currently visible on the east and west sides of the complex, were destined for the militia.
This castle was Padua's last bastion to resist during the battles that brought the defeat of the Carraresi (Lords of Padua and its owners from 1324), and it was conquered only after a betrayal in 1405, when Padua was incorporated into the territories of the Republic of Venice.
Afterwards the castle became a river port for commerce along the Bacchiglione River and in the seventeenth century the east wing of the castle was used as a tavern.
In 1930 it was purchased by the count Papafava, descendent of the ancient family of the Carraresi of Padua, and was divided into farmhouses where thirteen families lived up until not many decades ago.
In 1978 the building became public property: in fact that year the Papafava Counts donated it to the Consorzio per la valorizzazione dei Colli Euganei.
Since 1995 the castle houses The Museum of the Bacchiglione River with a collection of archaeological finds that the course of the water preserved for centuries and which continues to render.
There are two magnificent examples of pirogues, dating back to the eighth century, reproductions of ancient maps, an Archaeology Room with findings dating back from the late Neolithic to the 3rd century AD and artefacts belonging to the Ancient Venetians.
At last there are the ceramics handicrafts with objects from the thirteenth to nineteenth century.
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Visiting Hours (check current times and dates ):
1st November – 31st March
Sunday and Holidays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. / 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday: closed
From Tuesday to Saturday for groups and schools only on reservation
1st April – 31st October
Saturday 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday and holidays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. / 2 p.m.-7 p.m.
Monday: closed
From Tuesday to Saturday for groups and schools, only on reservation
For booking and info:
MUSEO DEL FIUME BACCHIGLIONE - CASTELLO DI SAN MARTINO
Cervarese Santa Croce (Padova)
Tel. 049.5738910
Museo del Bacchiglione
www.museicollieuganei.it
wikipedia: Castello di San Martino della Vaneza
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