Medieval in origin, the Villa Castle (or Romeo’s Castle) and the Bella Guardia Castle (or Juliet’s Castle) are located about 300m apart on the hills of Montecchio Maggiore (Vicenza). The manor houses evoke the feud between the Capulet and Montague families and the lovers made famous by Shakespeare but actually created by Luigi da Porto of Vicenza who, it is said, had a clear view of the castles from his villa in Montorso where he wrote the tragedy.
Romeo’s Castle, 234m above sea level, has an irregular layout that adapts to the shape of the hill. It has two towers (one guards the entranceway), a keep that can be visited and an inner courtyard with a well. The castle often houses performances and other cultural events.
Juliet’s Castle has a rectangular layout and stands on a hill at 254m. It conserves a keep, a 20m high tower and a courtyard with a well-cistern that was originally used to gather rainwater. Not far below the Castle are the "priare", an extensive complex of underground caves with 1,475 m of manmade and natural rooms and cavities.
Fondazione Veneto Film Commission
Via Carducci, 32 – 30171 Venezia Mestre
Phone: +39 041 279 43 38
Email: info@venetofilmcommission.com
