Montebello Vicentino
Montebello Vicentino lies at the foot of the Lessini mountains, at the entrance to the Chiampo valley, not far from the Berici hil...
Updated 12 July 2026 · Sources: https://www.comune.montebello.vi.it/it/vivere/castello-dei-maltraverso · https://www.traviseleolivari.it/storia-del-nostro-territorio/castello-dei-maltraversi/ · https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montebello_Vicentino
The story
The story of Montebello Vicentino
Between Vicenza and Verona
Montebello Vicentino occupies a hinge position between the provinces of Vicenza and Verona, at the entrance to the Chiampo valley and close to the Colli Berici. This location made it for centuries a strategic point of territorial control, a role reflected in the castle standing on the hill above the town.
The Castello dei Maltraverso
The castle's origins date back at least to the ninth or tenth century. In 1154 Frederick I granted it to Alberto Maltraverso, investing him with the title of count, and the stronghold took its name from his family. In 1313 it came under the control of Cangrande della Scala, who carried out a major restoration, adding walls, corner towers and a well in the minor courtyard. The most distinctive surviving structure is the square keep, thirteen metres high.
From the Maltraverso to the Serenissima
After the Scaligeri period, the castle passed to the Visconti in 1387 and, in 1404, to the Republic of Venice. Damaged during the wars of the League of Cambrai in the early sixteenth century, it gradually lost its defensive role, becoming private property from 1676 onward: a trajectory shared by many fortifications in the Vicenza area, moving from military to residential use.
Hills and Vineyards
Montebello Vicentino's territory extends across plain and hill, in an area with a strong wine-growing tradition bordering the Soave and Gambellara zones, known for Garganega-based white wines, and the Colli Berici. The combination of hillside and flat soils supports a diversified agriculture of vineyards and traditional crops.
The Hamlets and Trails
The hamlets of Selva and Agugliana are part of the municipal territory and retain a rural character shaped by the hills. The Sentiero Mario Filotto, maintained by the local CAI section, crosses the Agno valley and the surrounding hills, offering an accessible hiking route.
Experiences not to miss
- Visitare il Castello dei Maltraverso sul colle che domina il paese
- Visit the Castello dei Maltraverso on the hill overlooking the town
To see
What to see in Montebello Vicentino
Routes · Trovido Route
Routes in Montebello Vicentino
Jobs · JobFlow
