Montecchio Maggiore (Venetian: Montécio Majore) is a town and comune in the province of Vicenza, Veneto, Italy. It is situated approximately 12 kilometres (7 miles) west of Vicenza and 43 km (27 miles) east of Verona; SP 246 provincial road passes through it.

Montecchio Maggiore
Montécio Majore
Comune di Montecchio Maggiore
Coat of arms of Montecchio Maggiore
Location of Montecchio Maggiore
Map
Montecchio Maggiore is located in Italy
Montecchio Maggiore
Montecchio Maggiore
Location of Montecchio Maggiore in Italy
Montecchio Maggiore is located in Veneto
Montecchio Maggiore
Montecchio Maggiore
Montecchio Maggiore (Veneto)
Coordinates: 45°30′N 11°25′E / 45.500°N 11.417°E / 45.500; 11.417
CountryItaly
RegionVeneto
ProvinceVicenza (VI)
FrazioniAlte Ceccato, Bernuffi, Ghisa, Santissima Trinità, Sant'Urbano, Valdimolino, Carbonara
Government
 • MayorGianfranco Trapula
Area
 • Total30.67 km2 (11.84 sq mi)
Elevation
72 m (236 ft)
Population
 (30 November 2017)[2]
 • Total23,315
 • Density760/km2 (2,000/sq mi)
DemonymMontecchiani
Time zoneUTC+1 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
36075
Dialing code+39 0444
Patron saintSan Vitale
Saint dayFebruary 8
WebsiteOfficial website

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

History edit

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 da Porto of Vicenza set the story here in his novel of 1552.

Main sights edit

  • Villa Cordellina Lombardi, is a masterpiece of neo-Palladian architect Giorgio Massari, with 18th-century frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.
  • Museum Zannato, founded in 1922 by Giuseppe Zannato, its first curator. It has sections devoted to archaeological 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")

International relations edit

Montecchio Maggiore is twinned with:

References edit

  1. ^ "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Alton Town Twinning Association". Hampshire County Council. May 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-09-13. Retrieved 2013-07-25.

Sources edit

External links edit