Este is a late medieval town with ancient walls surrounding the Castle, which has been well preserved. The Hotel is in a prime location, facing the Castle and near the town centre. Not far from the hotel garden you can reach the beautiful walls of the Castle and the gardens inside.
Behind the Beatrice is the Regional Colli Euganei Park. There are many trails and routes by which you can explore the territory on foot, by bike or on horseback and find the most beautiful places in the park while immersed in the nature and culture of its valleys.
Monselice, Arquà Petrarca (a characteristic medieval town, Touring Club the yellow flag), Montagnana (Touring Club orange flag, another ancient city surrounded by walls that is well worth visiting) and the various villas typical of the Veneto region can easily be reached by car.
Moreover, there are plenty of events, both cultural and musical, that make the territory attractive to visit and explore.
You can reach Venezia, Padova and Vicenza in less than an hour by car.
Atestino Museum
Located in Villa Mocenigo the museum hosts a collection of Roman and Pre-roman archaeological remains found in Este, highlighting the ancient history and civilization of the people of the Veneto region.
Carrarese Castle
The Carrarese Castle dominates the town with its towers and ancient walls. The most ancient part of the Castle was built in the 12th century for the defence of the town. In the time of Azzo VI, Marquis of Este it became an important Trobadour culture centre. Many poets and artists telling about the vicissitudes of the Marquis and his daughter Beatrice found hospitality here.
Today's construction goes back to 1300 by Umbertino da Carrara Lord of Padua. In 1500 the Castle ceased to be used for the defence of the town and the Moncenigo Venetian family built a palace on the southern side which is still visible today. Today the Castle is part of the enchanted setting which encloses the public gardens where important events take place, especially Este in fiore (Este in blossom).
Santa Tecla Cathedral
Built in ancient times the current architecture was designed by Antonio Gaspari in 1700. The bell tower is worth visiting. Inside the Cathedral you can admire the beautiful altarpiece by Giambattista Tiepolo.
The organ is also very beautiful and was built by Fratelli Ruffati.
Torre Civica di Porta Vecchia
It is the symbol of Este together with the Castle. It was initially built to defend the town then enhanced with Ghibelline merlons (or swallowtail) and in 1700 a large clock was placed on the wall facing the square. The clock has both Roman numbers and moon phases.
Villa Barbarigo, Galzignano Terme
A Villa dating from 1600 which is typical of the Veneto region. The vast gardens are worth visiting. With its 10 hectares it is a classic example of baroque gardens with statues, fountains in Versailles style, small ponds and an old boxwood maze.
Castello del Catajo, Battaglia Terme
The Catajo Castle was constructed between 1570 and 1573 following a commission by commander Pio Enea I degli Obizzi. Worth seeing are the internal frescoes painted by Gianbattista Zelotti, student of Paolo Veronese, the vast park surrounding the villa called "Giardino delle delizie" and the wide panoramic terraces where important cultural, wine and food events take place.
Castello Cini, Monselice
A majestic architectural construction with many different types of buildings erected in different periods: the Romanesque House from the 11th century and the Castelletto (little castle) from the 12th century are the most ancient buildings. The Ezzelino Tower is from the 13th century while the Sigoria Veneta (Venetian Lordship) is from the 1400.The Castle was a defensive Tower first and then it became a family residence as it is visible from its current structure.
It is especially worth visiting its monumental "tower" fire places, which were commissioned by the Da Carrara Family in the 14th century and are unique in the whole of Italy due to their unusual shape. Inside the Ezzelino Tower you can see the armory with its beautiful collection of weapons and armours.In the castle the Cortile Veneziano (Venetian courtyard) is worth visiting; it was commissioned in 1600 by the Venetian Marcello Venetian family for the performance of concerts and plays.
Within its ancient walls you can admire bas-reliefs of musician cherubs carrying baroque musical instruments while in the south part there is the Chapel of the Marcello family (18th century).
Jubilee Sanctuary Of The Seven Churches, Monselice
This is a particulary impressive tour on which you can visit six little chapels and one little church (S.George Church). The Sanctuary was designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi on the commission of the Venetian Duodo nobles and was built between 1605 and 1615. The altarpieces in the first five chapels were painted by Palma il Giovane (the young), while in the last one – dedicated to the two Saints Peter and Paul – there is an altarpiece attributed to the 17th century painter Loth. The Sanctuary is entered through the entrance arch "Roman Door" or the "Saint Door" which was erected in 1651.
Villa dei Vescovi, Torreglia
This 16th century villa is typical of the Veneto region and is located in the beautiful Colli Euganei landscape. It was designed by the architect Falconetto from Verona; worth visiting are the frescoes painted by the Dutch painter Lambert Sustris.
Petrarca's House, Arquà Petrarca
Petrarca's house lies in the picturesque village of Arquà Petrarca which was given the orange flag by the Italian Touring Club. The building was built in 1200. In 1369 Francesco Petrarca moved to the village of Arquà and in the house that hosted him it is possible to see some editions of the poet's writings and evidence of accolades to him written through the centuries. In this little museum house there is a small study, the bookcase and among other personal items of the poet, his chair and his legendary embalmed she-cat.
Montagnana Ancient Walls
Among the walled cities of the Veneto region the wall of Montagnana is one of the best preserved. It was built in the 14th century and there are towers in the North and South sides. The wall is a particular colour due to the type of material used in its construction: layers of trachyte stone coming from the Euganei Hills were used in coarse blocks and alternated with chips of limestone. A characteristic feature of the wall is the Guelfic merlons (with the squared top). On the side of most of them it is still possible to see the quadrangular slits. A wide moat surrounds the walls. There are four doors giving entrances to the village: Padova door, Vicenza door, Legnago door and XX Settembre door. Montagnana was given the orange flag by the Italian Touring Club because of its historical beauty and its typical regional products.
Saint Mary Cathedral, Montagnana
It was built in the second half of the 15th century in the typical late gothic style and the frescoes by Giorgione and Paolo Veronese are worth seeing.